Storms and Bruises

Sirens, wind, hail and uncertainty.

The big question mark behind these moments in time quickly arouse anxiety, fear and worry for some. Yet, for others, their adrenaline pumps vicariously through their veins! They are the ones standing outside, chasing storms without an ounce of worry and some type of awkward joy. I think the one thing all of us can relate to whether we are the ones chasing the storm or the ones overly prepared for the sirens is the devastation that can always occur which is why each party has a plan.

So, let's explore the storm.

We may not always see devastation or walk away with physical bruises yet we all in some way will carry a bruise afterwards. Construction workers loose ground and days. Farmers loose days of work and crops, etc. Gardens are affected, flowers wilted. Strays left cold and seeking shelter. Children loosing sleep with their parents comforting them. Pilots flying in adverse conditions. Drivers having to pull over or slippery roads. Even worse, homes wiped out, livestock gone, death and accidents. I will stop in hopes the picture is drawn clearly.

We all one way or another are affected and the aftermath = bruises - I don't know about you but I once felt bruises we're a hindrance.

I would curse the sky wondering why these storms were allowed. Not just weather storms but life storms. How could any of this work for any type of good??! It made no sense to me and I questioned it for years to come. Damaged meant damaged. It was that simple. The item, person, house, insert blank, would never be the same again nor it's worth. Then, I met grace.

Grace? Yep!

The ashes, bruises and storms in my story slowly became beauty right in front of my own eyes. The bad choices, the drug addiction, the alcoholism, the abuse, the view of self, the hole I so desperately sought to fill - it all came together for something great and beautiful.

My bruises, if you will, were all being used. You can imagine my befuddlement! This picture in front of me was absurd.

My attitude. My outlook. My priorities. They changed unbeknownst to me! I was confused. You can imagine what I was screaming up to the sky then! Me? Beauty from pain? I knew this was it - I was officially crazy and it'd be a matter of time before I was committed!

I mean, I thought I knew everything which also meant I was destined for doom. I had too many bruises to become anything more than damaged. It's pretty clear that belief was smacked right out of my left hand waving in the sky!

Poof! Gone with the wind!

I was left empty handed, looking at the sky. Of course, there was a simple beauty in that alone. Looking exactly where I needed to be with empty hands.

Looking up in awe slowly became easy. Appreciating storms, bruises, wrong-turns, slips and falls became a lifestyle along with a learning experience. Now, that doesn't mean while in a "storm" I don't grow weary and tired, question and doubt, it simply means I turn to God with my hands full or empty willing to ask for help and to also have my heart softened to the work He is creating. We all have ideas and feelings on what and how something should go yet we forget, in the moment, it's all already worked out just how it was meant to be.

The storms can be devastating yet beautiful. Maybe a reunion out of the result. Maybe it was for someone to come home. A new relationship to be made. A community meant to come together. Maybe it's as simple or hard as falling to our knees, broken with empty hands calling to our Father.

There is always and will always be a silver lining.

"He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things... He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy." - Luke 1:52-53