It's Just a Little Thunder

It is pouring rain this morning! It rained all night. The rain dropping on the forest floor just outside my window during the night sounded and smelled so wonderful.

I don't know if I slept through the thunder and lightning or if it indeed started at 4:30 when my alarm went off but regardless, it was loud. Some thunder was short, some was rolling....up to 15 seconds of rolling thunder.

One of my earliest memories is of being outside, playing in a large cardboard box. I think it was a refrigerator box, but at my young age of 3 or 4, it may have been a dryer box or washing machine box; all I know is, it was big. As I sat and played in the bottom of that box the walls seemed to reach the sky. I felt special; I felt safe.

Suddenly a large clap of thunder and my fun turned to terror as I realized I was trapped in this box. There was no way I could reach the top, let alone scale those brown paper walls. I was very frightened, I may have cried, but not for long.

I remember my dad’s face appearing over the rim of that box as he reached down in, smiling, and lifted me out and into the safety of his arms. This is such a strong memory.

I can't help but draw parallels between this storm and the way Jesus rescues us in the midst of life's storms.

Just as the thunder and lightning were unrelenting and unexpected, life often throws unexpected challenges our way. These trials can be intense and overwhelming, much like the storm that met me this morning. But, it is during these turbulent times that we might find comfort and refuge in our faith, just as I found comfort in the soothing rain. (It was better than a “noise machine”.)

In the same way that the forest floor is rejuvenated by the rain, our spirits can be renewed through our faith. Jesus, like a beacon in the storm, provides us with shelter, guidance, and a sense of peace during life's stormiest seasons. His presence is a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.

The timing of life's challenges, much like the timing of the storm, can be uncertain and even disruptive. However, faith in Jesus offers us a sense of purpose and direction during these uncertain moments.

I have a friend, an old friend actually, I met her when I was 13 and she 15. I was raised in the church; she was not. She has recently given her heart to Jesus. I am so thrilled for her!

Luke wrote "…I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 NIV

I love thinking about that. There was a party in heaven when my friend said, “I do.”

She shared with me that she is just so tired of the struggle. Oh boy, do I get it! I reassured her that life continues to have its struggles, but with faith in Jesus and a new commitment to and for life with Him, it is much more manageable.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" NIV

As I listened to the pouring rain and the rolling thunder, I was reminded that, much like the rain refreshed the forest floor, our faith in Jesus can refresh our life and provide us with the strength and resilience to weather any storm that life may bring.

As I look out at the rain-soaked world this morning, I'm grateful for the reminder that, in the midst of life's storms, there is a beacon of hope, a refuge, and a guiding light that we can turn to.

In John 8:12 Jesus said, “…“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ESV

Friend, Jesus is the light. He is the Life. He is the strong boat in the midst of your storm. This boat will not need you to steer or hoist sails and you certainly will never have to bail water. In this boat, you are totally and completely safe! You may get wet, you may hear things and see things that could be concerning, but your only job is to keep your eyes on Jesus and KNOW you are safe.

And, just as the storm outside will eventually pass, so too will our trials, and we can emerge from them stronger and more steadfast, with our faith intact.

“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV

by Jeanette Stark – Monday, November 6, 2023