storms

I love the changing of seasons.

There are few things I enjoy more than the smell of moist earth in the springtime, or dark storm clouds heavy with rain hanging ominously over my head. That solemn, eerie presence of a coming rainstorm. The ceiling of the sky so low it’s almost reachable from my second-story apartment. I feel so feeble, yet strangely alive in my soul when I hear the powerful rumble of thunder roll across the sky. The good kind of thunder that thumps in your stomach and gives you butterflies. I wait in eager anticipation as I search the skies for flashes of lightning.

When I was younger, one of my best friends used to live just up the street from me. We loved to get on our cordless phones with each other and stand in the street in front of our houses to look for lightning bolts. Since we lived on the same street, we could see each other in the distance and we would exclaim into the phone, “did you see that one?” or “wow, that one was close!” or “hey that cloud looks like a cow”.

And the smell of rain would be so strong in the air until finally…a single drop on my forehead. Then one on my arm. Two more fall on my head, and then one falls into my eye because by this time I’m staring up at the clouds and that is what happens when you look up when its raining-you get rained on in the eye. Usually around this time my friend and I would decide to get off the phone because it is not very smart to use the phone in the rain especially if there is lightning going on all around.

The rain would pour and the thunder would pound and soon there would be muddy puddles everywhere just begging to be jumped in and splashed through. But I would go and sit at my window-seat, maybe grab a pillow or a blanket, and just watch the rain. Watch all the colors grow more vibrant as trees and earth grow moist. Watch flower petals and leaves dance with each drop that falls on them. Watch as birds and squirrels scurry to find dry shelter.

Everything is transformed; and somehow by this simple change of weather I feel the presence of God. I am reminded of how He has blessed me through difficult times. Of how much beauty and creativity He has and how it is all around as a glimpse into Him. I feel how strong His love and protection are over me and I feel thankfulness and joy building inside of me. Worries and cares grow small and loose their grip. Peace, joy and refreshment grow with the puddles.

Eventually the downpour eases up and the sunlight breaks through to the earth and warms the ground. The new smell that emerges of rain mixed with wet dirt, pine needles, tree bark and grass is almost mouthwatering. Growing up in Big Bear, you come to know and love this smell. It’s like life in your lungs.

These times of ours now are difficult to understand. Our ‘sure things’ fall through as money and time grow short. Yet we are rich and joyful in His service.  He has not been unfaithful in using us as He said He would. My position at the church steadily grows in responsibilities, which I am so thankful for. Joey has been popping out awesome videos left and right as well as attending the high school youth group again as I hope to do soon. And already at BOLD (youth group) he is being used. I so enjoy watching him become more and more a man running after God’s heart, as I run alongside clasping his hand. 

God has provided for us in amazing ways both physically and spiritually through this whole transition and I know He will continue to do so. I look forward to experiencing more ‘rain’ moments in the seasons to come.

Yet I find I am eager for the sunlight to break through.