Storms

When I was driving to work this morning, with my iPod on shuffle (while plugged into the car, of course), the song "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns began playing. This song almost always gets me thinking, and this morning it got me thinking about rainstorms (because I like them, despite how I react sometimes), then emotional storms, then other natural disasters; and then it started making me think about what Dave Jenkins preached about yesterday morning.

(This seemed a whole lot more together at 7:30ish this morning, but I of course waited until now to write this, losing some of it's energy in the process, so I apologize for this not being too terribly fleshed out.)

There are all kinds of storms out there. There are natural storms and storms that occur within us. There are storms that dissipate within a few minutes, and there are storms that take hours to fade. Some major storms can occur quickly but also be life-altering, and some seemingly simple storm can last for days. Some storms are sent to cleanse the world of dirt and all manner of things (also, when your eyes are dry, it can sometimes cause blurred vision, so some type of liquid, possibly tears, are needed to wash your eyes); some storms cause destruction (sometimes seemingly irreparable) in a place (but possibly igniting in some a desire to help); some storms are there to simply help things grow or to refresh the earth.

So, to steal a phrase from Dave Jenkins (and almost connect it to his sermon), we have to prepare for whatever type of rain is headed our way, whether it be a cleansing one, a damaging one, a simple refreshing shower, or one that sends us so much hope and good things that we don't know what to do with it. I think all are meant for growth and/or healing, whether our own or someone (or something) else's.

(I love how the writer of this song is clearly going through anger and sadness, yet...I don't know. I feel like this could be a psalm, in my personal opinion; I feel that like this could fit very well alongside David and the others, even without Psalm 121 at the end of the song.)

I was sure by now, God, you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say amen

And it's still raining

But as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands

For You are who You are no matter where I am

And every tear I've cried You hold in your hand

You never left my side and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry to You and raised me up again

My strength is almost gone how can I carry on

If I can't find You

And as the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, "I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

I lift my eyes onto the hills. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

I lift my eyes onto the hills. Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

(image found on images.yahoo.com)