It rained quite a bit on the night of New Year's Eve. Kara and I had dinner at Barrios with my mom and dad to celebrate the coming in of the new year. We drove from Norman to Downtown OKC. We were very cautious to and from dinner that night as the temperature was hovering right around 32 degrees. We were afraid of slick spots on the road so we drove a good 10-15 miles slower than the speed limit. When we returned home, we could hear the rain coming down hard on the roof. We went to bed a little after midnight (yeah, we made it up past midnight), and we could hear the heavy rain and nastiness outside.
It was so typical of 2020. Ice and rain was the perfect way to send out the year. I woke up in the middle of the night and could hear the sleet pegging the windows next to our bed. It was annoying and the noise made it hard to rest. We slept in on New Year's Day, but when we woke up, we saw a beautiful white snow landscape outside - it was absolutely gorgeous. The snow brought a sense of peace, quiet, and calm all over me. It was an interesting experience.
All of this led me to think about how 2020 has been a storm of sorts for all of us. We’ve all been affected this year by something. I don't think any of us can say that this year has been absolutely easy. ’m not saying there wasn't any good that came out of this past year. I'm saying that we have all been affected in some sort of way. The night of New Year's Eve was filled with rain, sleet, and ice, but the morning of New Year's Day was a beautiful scene of snow, beauty, and calm. Most storms bring rain, but rain brings growth and beauty on the other side.
Maybe like me, you’ve been walking through a storm of a year so I’m writing this as an encouragement to all of us. Whatever storm we are walking through, it will pass. Whether it passes tomorrow, next year, or after our time here on earth is done. It will pass. So, have hope.
I'm reading a Bible plan with my LifeGroups/LifeMissions Leadership team, which I have the opportunity to lead and serve. The plan is called Live Love Lead by Brian Houston from Hillsong Church. One scripture in this plan is from Psalm 90:12. It says, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
If we can learn to number our days, we can look at life a little differently. We realize that whatever pain we are walking though now won't last forever, and every day is an opportunity to serve, love, and positively impact others. This verse helps us remember to have an eternal perspective because life is so fleeting.
So, what do we do when we are walking through a storm? I'm just throwing some thoughts down here, but this is what I think may help.
1 Change your perspective (eternal perspective).
2 Maybe you just need to go to sleep and wake up and realize that tomorrow is another day.
3 Don't weather the storm alone. Make sure you have people around you to share your
thoughts and hardships with. Have someone or people who speak truth into your life.
4 Realize that you aren't the only one weathering a storm.
5 Maybe help someone else out in their storm to take your mind off of your own stuff.
6 There's no need to make any emotional or rash decisions while weathering a storm.
7 Keep moving forward - this storm too shall pass.
