What a powerful storm we had one night this week.  Rain had been promised for days, but always evaded our area; we watched black skies circle around us and heard thunder rumble near us. Rain never fell.

We have been so very dry with a few sporadic showers (see… watered…) these extremely hot weeks while many of the southern states endure heavy downpours. I have been wishing for rain; I didn’t want a bad storm. Just rain.

But, finally, the storm came, waking me in the night. The brightness of constant zigzag lightning rolled with loud thunder as I watched and listened… in wonder. According to scienceabc.com some people see these high powered electrical charged strikes as majestic, while others  are utterly terrified at the bright bolts.

Some see the beauty of the storm… some fear the effects.

NWS Jet Stream estimate there are about 40,000 storms a day or almost 16 million a year. Now, that’s a powerful amount of wonder. Or terror. Though I have a deep respect for lightning and flooding, I see incredible beauty in a physical storm.

Is it possible to discover the beauty in a storm… a life storm?

Who wants a disturbance of power or a downpour of pain? We demand slow, gentle days filled with light breezes… you know, just enough of those to balance and encourage our growth. Can I/you delight in the high winds of fury, upsetting our well ordered lives?

Of course not.  Where… then, how… do we see the majesty in a storm?

When my children were little, even when they were teenagers, I made sure they would be home if a storm were forecast. I wanted to be sure they were safe. This weeknight when constant lightning and thunder caused anxiety (I snuggled real close to Tom), I knew some of my children were out in a storm. Unprotected, getting drenched.

I think God whispers…I want my children safe?

I read the story, again and again, in John 6:16-21(also in Matthew 14:22-27 and Mark 6:45-51).The disciples are in a major storm, and these seasoned fishermen are having great difficulty in keeping the boat together. The winds toss them to and fro, up and down.

It is His words that bring a smile. Can you see beauty as He crawls into the boat with the fearful fellows; I hear beauty as He speaks… and the words are comforting to their spirits. To my anxious heart. “It is I… don’t be afraid. Take courage.”

Tom and I have children and grandchildren out in a storm… one that can cause a storm to rage within us.  And these words, “Take courage. It is I”… holding you two together. Take my hand, and find beauty in this. (italics mine)

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you” Isaiah 54:10

It is not always easy or possible to find beauty in the storm, but I want to try. I am determined to “see” God in all of life, to hear His whisper of promise… It is I; don’t be afraid. I am here.

Tom and I were driving in a storm this week, and suddenly right before us was this brilliant rainbow. Seemed we could almost reach out and touch. I realize seeing a rainbow evokes various meanings, secular, mystical, spiritual. Some feel it denotes peace, a new beginning, or an inner awakening. I can never see one without thinking of the covenant the Lord made with Noah; it was a sign of promise.Beauty exploded on the highway, amid fast traffic and peppering rain.  God is involved in the details of life, giving peace and assurance… wherever and when we “see”…

“He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the Lord God is His name.” Amos 4:13