As this weekend approached, our area received weather forecasts predicting severe thunderstorms. A local elementary school cancelled their spring carnival (wasting hours of volunteer effort) in anticipation of the storms. My son's baseball league kept us in suspense about Saturday's opening day games. Several friends had a day trip planned on Friday, but opted out because of the weather forecast.
For several days the sky was cloudy and threatening, but we never saw a storm. I think I briefly saw some light drizzle. That was it! We enjoyed perfect weather as we watched our son play his first game of the season.
Some friends and I were commenting about all of this when Lauralea explained to us that she learned not to cancel things just because it looks like rain. She told us about a time when the young women at our church had to travel for an activity, and the weather got really nasty. However, instead of cancelling the activity they pressed forward, enduring the torrential rains that often seemed scary. Everyone was safe, and they ended up having a very good experience together.
Her story reminded me of last summer, when my son attended scout day camp. One day the camp closed early due to severe weather, and while we all made it home safely, the drive home was indeed an adventure. Camp proceeded again on the next day, but at the first rumble of thunder they immediately shut down and sent everyone home in a panic. This time, as we drove home we heard a second rumble of thunder. And then it was over. I don't remember seeing any rain that day. This was the last day of camp, so my son missed some eagerly anticipated activities.
Meanwhile, our church youth group had planned a handcart trek activity for months, and despite severe weather on the evening before they were to leave, they still got up early in the morning and hiked toward Oklahoma. At some point during the trip the severe weather returned, but miraculously their little camp was spared while the storms raged nearby.
Practically speaking, it's always better to be safe than sorry -- especially when it comes to North Texas weather in the spring. But as always, I saw a life lesson in these experiences. Metaphorically speaking, when life gets cloudy (or even stormy) should we cancel? Of course not! This is the time to press forward and endure whatever we have to face, so that we don't miss valuable opportunities. It's not as dangerous as driving through a Texas storm. We can navigate the storms of life safely, especially as we put our trust in the Lord, who has power to calm any tempest and protect us from harm.
This also reminded me of a line from a hymn that another friend (thanks, Marnie!) shared with me long ago:
Ye fearful Saints, fresh courage take.
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.
1 comment:
I know that you don't know me, and will probably think I am a blog-stalker, but my husband was just diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, and has just finished his 8th day of radiation. I am having our fourth baby tomorrow while he has a break from treatment over the weekend. It was good to skim over your archive posts and read about your story. While my personal blog is private (and I am not sure you want to just randomly give some crazy blog-stalker your email), my friend started a blog to try to do something to help us. She has copied a few of my posts "Couldn't you just break your neck" and "Update...barely" and then one from my husband more recently. The blog is dadnamedjosh.blogspot.com. Thanks for your story, and your miracle gives us hope. While the location of your tumor was different than his, it is still good to hear the story of someone who is surviving. During his surgery, they were only able to take enough for a decent sample for pathology. His tumor is right over the motor-function. Anyway, thanks again. I will be checking back to read more!!
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