The Blessing of Storms

Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to walk the zoo during a thunderstorm. When the initial clouds rolled in and the thunderclap began, most people headed home. Storms scare us. They can drench us. Damage can come from them. But I couldn't pass up the chance to see how animals reacted to them, so off I went to see how God's creatures endured storms. 

It had been hovering close to one-hundred degrees for the day until the rain came. Many animals had taken shelter in what shade they could find due to the sweltering sun. But when the storm came...life and activity arose. The grizzly bear walked joyfully. The ape came out and began to forage the grass. The giraffe looked up as if to say, "thank you."  The animals were more active than I had seen in a long time. They all had open doors to encourage them to leave the storm, but they chose to step into it and feel its blessing.

A certain song about storms was popular shortly after Bill died. It took me years to wrap my head around its words.
          What if your blessings come through raindrops
          What if your healing comes through tears
          What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?
          What if the trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
          What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
          Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
         And what if trials of this life, the rain, the storms, the hardest nights
        Are your mercies in disguise?

A thousand sleepless nights. Every parent can relate to that one. Tears? I never knew a body could produce so many. Year after year. Storms? Mine overlapped for most of my life. In retrospect, the blessings and miracles I've witnessed as a result of them, words cannot describe. 

Yesterday, I witnessed God's mercy literally rain down on the earth.  Life not only bloomed but withstood.  Storms reveal things that usually are hidden in us. Things we never knew about ourselves come to the forefront. Fear, doubt, anger. But often they also reveal strength, wisdom, courage, and mercy.  We are here to grow. Without the rain of storms, we never would see that growth. The fact is, you are reading this because what was meant to kill you...didn't.  Mercy.  Growth. Revealing who we really are. 

Storms force us to seek God or run from Him. I've done both, and He's OK with that (forever the prodigal, I am.) Therein lies the blessing of storms. They force us to encounter God, even if we don't believe in him.  I've known many an atheist who prayed over their sick child's bed. God doesn't necessarily care about the process as much as He cares about the result, and that result is to see His child return home. He knew my process was going to rip me to shreds for the rest of my earthly days, but He also knew it would bring me closer to Him and that would help me lead other to Him. The domino effect of storms. There's always an aftermath. 

As the saying goes, you're currently in a storm, you've just come out of a storm, or you're about to enter a storm. Storms are a part of life. No one leaves here without scars (just ask Jesus.)  If you're currently in a storm, know there is ALWAYS purpose in pain.  Look for the purpose.  If you've just come out of a storm, give thanks for His mercy and kindness and the revealing of a new you. If you're about to enter a storm which you don't even see coming yet, find solace in the fact that God will cover you with the relief of wisdom, growth and mercy as the rain falls. 

We need to keep our umbrellas and galoshes handy at all times because the clouds can change at any given moment.