Peace, Be still.

You know that feeling when a storm is brewing? There may not be obvious signs of it yet but you can just feel the tension in the air. The anticipation in the atmosphere builds and then the storm comes in - may be just rain, may be a little thunder or a little lightning maybe or it could be a full on tornado that comes through.

I think that describes not only our outside world but sometimes our interaction with others as well. Turmoil often festers for days before it comes out and then comes the rain...... or the thunder...... or the tornado of conflict. You never know how long it will last and then when its over, you still hear the rumblings for a few days. I used to dread this very thing - maybe even fear it a little. But I'm beginning to understand that sometimes it takes a storm to bring about new life. We may even have to deal with a little destruction after the storm before we are able to see the tiny blooms of something fresh and new peeking up through the ground. And in order for those fresh, new leaves or blooms to flourish and grow - we must have at least a little more rain.

Perhaps a healthy relationship requires this kind of "weathering" as well.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" Mark4:37-40

I used to see this as the beginning of the end of a relationship. Fighting, misunderstandings, conflicts or storms were death signs to me. But I'm beginning to know that sometimes these things are necessary to proceed to the next stage or level. These "storms" - though they often bring destruction in their path - also bring about the new - whether through renovation of buildings or hydration for new plants. And even when the old is destroyed - we still have the memories of the good that took place there but can see the new that was brought about by the storm.

So from here on out, I will quit fretting over the storm. When God is ready, He will calm it. And even though His "new" may be completely different from my "new" - He knows what He is doing and has a blessing in store if I will just have the willingness to be open to it. I've been through another storm recently and am coming off the tail end of it - still hearing the faint rumblings of thunder and feeling the drops of rain. I'm trusting that He will take this calm I feel after the storm and carry me through the cloudy days ahead until the Son comes shining through to my heart once more.