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"Back in the day" there was a song – I can't remember now who the artist was or even the name of the song, but this one line sticks in my mind: "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down."

For me, actually, Mondays are okay. I'm neither a big fan nor an enemy of Mondays. However, when it comes to rainy days – no, I'm not a fan. I know I'm not alone in this. I also know that we need a certain amount of rain and/or snow (even though I really dislike snow, or rather, driving in it because if I could stay home and read a book or hibernate, I wouldn't mind so much). I have even been known to pray for rain when the farmers' fields are in need.

However, if I had my way, it would only rain at night and the sun would be shining by morning. At the same time, I know it's not my department to determine the weather. Life is not about me getting my way. It shouldn't be. It can't be. Like so many things in life, the weather just is and we must adapt... deal with it. Of course, this can mean if more than 12" of snow falls in the driveway as it did several weeks ago, hiring someone to shovel it; if there are tornado sirens, going to the safest place in the house and wait it out; if the sun is shining, going out and trying to soak up some of that wonderful vitamin D.

Matthew 5:44-45 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

So, we watch the forecasts and try to be prepared as best we can. This week looks beautiful, but storms are coming. That is a metaphor for life, too. Someone once said that if you're not in a storm of life right now, get ready, it's coming. We're coming out of a recent storm. Everything is not back to normal yet, but it is getting better – much better – by the day. We have friends who are in a storm that is growing stronger, their beloved son is ill and the doctors say he won't recover. So many people have been impacted by the pandemic – if not in terms of their health or the health of someone they love, then other types of hardship have likely swept in from finances to school problems to not seeing and/or touching loved ones. It's all too much for many people.

I'm reminded of another song, this time it is a Christian one from a number of years ago, that says about Jesus:

Sometimes He calms the storm

With a whispered peace be still

He can settle any sea

But it doesn't mean He will  

 

Sometimes He holds us close

And lets the wind and waves go wild

Sometimes He calms the storm

And other times He calms His child.

~ from the song, “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne

This is important. When God allows a storm in my life or your life it is not because He has stopped loving us or caring for us. I’ve known people who think that if they follow Jesus, nothing bad should ever happen to them, but thinking that way is ignoring the fact that we live in a fallen world where things can and do go wrong and they can go wrong just as easily for me as for anyone else.

Mark 4:37 A fierce windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But He was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him up and said to Him, “Teacher! Don’t You care that we’re going to die?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 Then He said to them, “Why are you fearful? Do you still have no faith?” 41 And they were terrified and asked one another, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

When a storm comes, I don’t know if Jesus will speak to the storm and tell it to “Be still!” Or if Jesus will speak to me (if I let Him). He alone knows which option will produce the outcome in me that He desires. I need to trust that He knows that and is looking out for the best interests of everyone and everything that will be impacted. Also, He knows that trust is sometimes rough for me, so He is gentle with me as He leads me when the storms come – and I am grateful.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for watching over me, loving me, and caring for me in every storm of life. This is still true: I wouldn’t trade my worst day with You for my best day without You. I pray that no matter what happens, no matter how hard the wind blows, no matter how fierce the storm, that I will always trust You, always hold on to You, and always know that You are holding on to me and You won’t let go. This is the knowledge that gives me Your peace. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.