Sunday, July 19, 2009

Storms

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If you've been following my blog recently then you know that my family moved to a new house a week ago. We still haven't received our custom blinds - the nights feel so black!

Friday night, we had an intense thunderstorm. It was totally unexpected because we also haven't hooked up our T.V.'s yet - no weather channel!

The storm started just as we were putting the kids to bed. NOT the best timing for us. Needless to say, all the kids wanted to sleep in our room because they were scared. I can't blame them, without curtains it was an awesome sight.

I kept thinking, if only the storm could have waited until after our curtains were installed. But you know, that's how storms come - at the worst possible times. To be honest, there really isn't a good time for a storm.

What about the storms of life? You know when "bad" things happen unexpectedly. They are never at a good time and certainly never wanted. We've all experienced them from time to time.

So how did we handle the thunderstorm? We adjusted for the night and decided the kids could have a "slumber party" and all sleep in the same bedroom. It seemed to appease everyone and we finally got some sleep. When all was said and done, no damage from the storm either.

How can we handle the unexpected storms of our lives?

1Peter 1:6-7 "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. "

Since I was exhausted when the storms came, I am quite sure that I forgot to give thanks or to greatly rejoice. Perhaps next time I'll remember and rejoice because without faith noone can please God.

One neat thing that happened during the storm - I prayed individually with two of my children at different times. Through the storm, their faith was being strengthened. That is something to rejoice about!

7 comments:

Andrea said...

Great post! The storms of life are never polite.

Blessings and prayers, andrea

PS: Urgent prayer request on both my blogs for Mary Moss' husband.

Kelly said...

I love this post, and it speaks directly to me in my current storm! It also reminds me of the Casting Crown song "Praise You in the Storm."

EXCELLENT!

Kelly said...

p.s. I totally "borrowed" your Bible verse and added it to my post after I read it here. It fit my post completely.

We aren't over the hump yet, but every day gets a little easier.

:-)

Greg C said...

Something good comes out of every trial that we go through. Most people just focus on the negative and overlook the positive. Not you though. Way to go.

Heart2Heart said...

Sonya,

I love this post! Oh how I wish real storms would head this way. Our heat has been so excessive that just having a bit of rain would be so amazing!

Gotta love the analogy of how this translates to our everyday storms! But there is a great lesson in every storm that passes.

Hope you get your curtains soon!

Love and Hugs ~ Kat

Warren Baldwin said...

Storms of life do rage, usually unexpectedly and fearfully, just like the storms in nature. Good application. What I really liked was how you adjusted to the storm - brought the family together, prayed, and made a memorable evening of it. Your children will never forget it.

Cheryl and I had great time with our kids when there was a storm and the lights went out. We'd light candles and play a board game. I always meant to have a "lights out night" by throwing the light switch. The kids would gather the candles, get a game board, and we'd have a "storm" night. But, the years got away before I ever got to do it.

Every occasion where we can have that special time turns a storm into a blessing. Good post.

Mary Moss said...

This is a great post! The storms of life do come at the most inopportune time--as if there were a good time for them!!

Just remember, after the storm, the world is blanketed in peace.

Blessings!