A shelter in a time of storm.

After two incredibly beautiful "banner" days of 75º or more, the weather finally cooled into the 50's and changed to rain tonight. While I would have loved for those high temps to hang around, I do fancy a good storm.

Well, let me first back up and say that this point needs a little clarification. I actually went through a brutal phase of hating rainy weather during my teen years. You see, when fros were in, I had one. When perms were in, I had one. Yes, I had the spiral perm look looooong before it was "all that." So much before in fact, that my good friend Dave said to me back in the 9th grade, "Why do you have straight bangs but curls everywhere else? Nobody wears their hair like that."
Yea, is that so, buster? Well, I'm not "nobody". I'm somebody with lots of body and it's all on top of my head.

Fact is, I have naturally curly hair and while it has relaxed quite a bit with age, it was not something I treasured back then. It's a bit hard to enjoy a good coiffure when you know you're going to look like Rosanna Rosanna Danna within thirty minutes of sprayin'er down (TeeGwee, you know my pain, sister).

And I'm sure you can imagine how poofed up lovely my hair looked after bouncing around with the cheerleading squad for 90 minutes in a humid gym. Attractive? Oh yea.

Okay, so rain has not always been on my list of favorite things. I really do love a good storm though. When we lived in the country, we had a full front porch (oh, how I miss it). There were farm fields as far as the eye could see directly across from and behind us. Our view was completely unobstructed and it was wonderful. When a storm rolled in, we had front row seats for the show. God's mighty power was so evident in the frightening but beautiful streaks of light as they bolted across the blackened sky. And the thunder felt like it literally rolled through the foundations of our home. We saw more rainbows than I think I've seen my in my whole life. Oh sure, the storms were downright scary at times. But mostly it was breathtaking as we safely stood in awe of our Creator under the eaves of the front porch.

You know though, I'm not sure I would be able to see such beauty in a storm if a childhood incident had played out differently. When I was about 5 years old, a storm rolled in as my dad played baseball. As I recall it, the storm came up quite suddenly and everyone, spectators and players, bolted for the nearest spot of safety. There weren't many shelters to choose from, as there was just a small concession stand with an overhang or a further jaunt to the cars in the parking lot.

I remember a sense of mass confusion.
Rain pouring down so hard I couldn't see.
Thunder booming and lightning cracking in the distance.
Everyone running for cover.
I couldn't spot a single family member as I too tried to run.
And my own confusion quickly turned to terror. I became so terrified in fact that I literally stopped in the downpour and began to cry in a wave of panic.

The next thing I knew, someone scooped me high up into the air and I was being carried along in the direction of the concession stand. As I looked down through tears, I discovered I had been hoisted up over the shoulders of my own Dad. My father had rescued me from that moment of terror as he passed by, and a sense of safety immediately came over me. He was bigger than the storm and I instantly knew I was going to be just fine. Had my Dad not been there for me, I have to wonder if I would be able to "see" beauty in the power of a storm as I do today.

And isn't that just the best picture of our Heavenly Father's love for us? When life's "storms" rush over us without warning and leave us feeling confused, unsure or even terrified, we can trust in our Heavenly Father to be with us and to see us through. We can find refuge in Him.

And even when all else seems to fail, we have some incredible words of our Savior to cling to.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Be encouraged to run to Him during your storm. Get in the Word and allow Him to speak to your heart. Jot down a verse that comforts you and keep it in your purse or use it as a bookmark in your current read. And know that in the midst of your own personal storm you can cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you (1Peter 5:7).

Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Isaiah 43:1-2
But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.