I agree with Ruth when she said, “…everyone who is walking on this big rock of a planet has a storm brewing, a storm raging, or a storm calming around them…” I have been in storms, I’m currently in a storm and another is around the corner.”
They sometimes come out apparently from nowhere. Last Sunday the phone rang at 10:45 pm.
“Mom, please start praying, for the next fifteen minutes please pray. A mega tornado is heading our way, we’re worried about Global first, we have three families in the storm shelter there.”
10:45 call to pray
I was worried about them and glad that I said, “you will always be grateful for a basement, Em, when they purchased their home in Tupelo, MS also known as (tornado alley). We have a tornado alley in Illinois also. I remembered back to my childhood when a family friend made it downstairs in the nick of time with her baby. The only thing that remained in the house was the basement!
But relationship storms always hit the hardest and hurt the most. We almost weren’t at our foster daughter’s wedding because of deep wounds and pain. I lost my best friend in life for thirty years because of saying the truth in love to her. Only recently she reached out and told me that she has forgiven me. However, the restoration process may never occur on this side of heaven. Six years ago my mom was very ill with Althezimers disease and passed away after a difficult illness. Right now my dad is struggling. We have had major mental health issues in our family. Sadly, it is a storm that keeps on giving.
I survive the storms currently and on many days I see the sun shining through. And even sometimes I get a glimpse of a rainbow. It can only be attributed to one person.
Jesus is the rock on which I stand. When I am slipping, slipping, slipping in the mire. He grasps me with his hand and when i press my fingers between his I can weather the heavy,heavy rains, sleet and hail that pummels my relationships.
Though I walked with God for many years it is a more recent phenomena. I attribute it to abiding in his word, writing out my prayers and worship music. I am not the same person I was a year ago. My heart is squishy and tears come fast… tears of joy and yes… tears of agony. Many of you, my friends, I am convinced know that cry that comes straight from our gut, that ravages our souls.
It sometimes can be soothed by a mother’s hug or a husband’s embrace but I have found those moments lately where I’ve commented out loud, “Jesus, thank you for giving me that sign of your deep, deep love for me.”
Right now he’s giving me a signal to close… to send this out to you unedited or revised even though I know that I spelled Althezimers wrong. Leaving with how I actually wanted to start.
One of my favorite verses:
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil… Hebrews 6:19 (NKJV)
Two years and finishing strong... 
Nanc,
I’m glad you wrote real + raw + unedited. It is true that the storms of life are hurtful, but Jesus loves us. Always.
xo,
ruth
I can’t say it better than Ruth. I’m glad too, Nanc. Thank you for sharing about your storm and your Shelter.
That sign of his deep, deep love for us…Yes. Always. I’m learning to notice it more and more as well. I’m so glad you shared this today. Your words made the world seem less isolating.
Yes, relationship storms do hit the hardest, and I am sorry you are enduring so much. His rainbow promises get us through so many of the hard times. I’m glad you sent the unedited and unrevised words!
Thank you for the words of faith. Prayers.