Tip of My Iceberg

It poured Thursday afternoon and evening. Lovely weather for those who value green thumbs and ecologically necessary moisture.

Me? I’m a sunny kind of a gal.

Not that I don’t value what rain does for all of nature. It refreshes. Renews. Replenishes.

I love all those “re” words.

This storm, though, was accompanied by powerful lightning bolts and loud claps of thunder that caught you off guard. With the potential of scaring the bejeebers out of you.

At least out of me.

But not to be undone by a little rain, I took a walk to appreciate all that wet.

I know. Walking in a lightning storm is not what thinking people often do.

I’ve found there are days I have no think.

So, apart from getting really wet and foolishly darting under huge shade trees, it was quite spectacular.

Being in the rain, with lightning flashing around me, made me realize how often I see storms through a filter of my convenience and comfort.

If it’s not convenient and comfortable, I don’t want to have any part of it.

You know how it is. You plan an outdoor wedding with no back-up plan. And it rains. (Been there.) Not comfortable or convenient.

You save up and plan for a much needed vacation. And it rains all week. Not comfortable or convenient. (Been there, too.)

It’s gorgeous all week, while you’re at work. It pours all weekend long. Not comfortable or convenient. (Who hasn’t been there?)

I find I see many of the storms of life with the same limited appreciation that I have for natural storms. I’m not a huge fan of discomfort, inconvenience or pain.

I’ve been thinking lately that my filter may be distorted.

With a tendency to live in the moment, I find that challenging circumstances often cause me to whine rather than seek wisdom as to how to handle tough situations. It’s easier to be negative rather than notice the opportunities for hope and growth. Pessimistic Polly.

Why is it that I so easily forget how my attitude affects everything I do?

Jesus spoke to this very issue.  He’d clearly told His disciples that they were going to cross the Sea of Galilee. Not open for debate, but a statement. When the weather took a turn for the worse, the disciples panicked. Jesus was asleep and obviously had no clue what was going on. So they woke Him with the question, “Don’t You care if we drown?”

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was COMPLETELY calm. He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’”   Mark 4:39-40

They’d seen Jesus feed 5,000 plus. They’d seen Him heal people. But the storm was unexpected, and even though they knew they were going to the other side, they worried about getting there. Because all they could see was what surrounded them–wind, waves, rain, lightning. Even the presence of Jesus didn’t assuage their fears because they weren’t quite sure who He was.

Storms are a part of life. Rain happens. But the wonder of storms is that they cause growth to happen. Renewal. Refreshment. Replenishment.

I’m never alone in the storms. Even if I’m afraid, and it feels like I’m drowning.

I need to remember that the One who allows the storms is the only One who can calm them.

And me.

*First picture courtesy of hdwallpapersdesign.com

*Second picture courtesy of youtube.com