We’ve been having  quite a few “pop-up” storms lately. I take “pop-up” to mean a storm can happen any time, any where, quite unbeknown to us. Never heard of that misnomer when I was growing up but, in this day and age, there are many “pop-up” phrases in our jargon. I mentioned in a column recently that my grandmother was really afraid of thunderstorms. Luckily, her panic was not passed on to me. I don’t fear them, although one must be cautious when in one. I really like to watch a storm from a door or window unless it gets too treacherous, then I run inside.

I read recently a book called “Gentle Grace” by Kathy Lee Gifford in which she relates her thoughts on the storms we encounter in our lives.

“There are many different ways to describe that dark lonely place we sometimes find ourselves in. Some call it the desert, the night, or the pit. For me the imagery of a storm always comes to mind. The irony is that I love to experience storms when I am protected from them. They’re really quite beautiful and thrilling. But a storm that is experienced without protection can be a terribly frightening thing. When I go through those difficult, painful times in my life, I try to remember that even though the wind is wailing and the tide is high and treacherous, I am protected. That’s the confidence I have in Him. God has said, ‘never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ (Hebrews 13:5). The power to calm a storm at sea is pretty impressive. The disciples asked, ‘Who is this man that even the wind and the sea obey Him?’”

I found this chapter very encouraging. He is able to  calm the storms that rage in our lives. All we have to do is ask.

We need to be patient while he calms the storms we are going through. This is very hard to do but it’s possible and in the end it is well worth the trip through the storm. Think of the rainbow at the end.

Well, I think I’ve written enough about storms. May the coming days be full of sunshine and rain–without the storms.

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