I’ve never cared for spring. As far as seasons go, it’s always been at the bottom of my list. In my neck of the woods, spring is a dreary time of year. The sky is nearly always gray and the rain remains steady….the one constant in a changing world. I’ll wake up each morning, hoping for a peek at the sun or a chance to let in some fresh air. Each morning, for seemingly months on end, I awake disappointed. Angry and let-down, I’ll sigh, “Why God?! Why can’t I catch just a little break?”
In the monotony and drizzle of a NW spring, I forget that summer is coming. It’s inevitable. The sun WILL shine again. A better day WILL come.
It’s the same way in life. When we are walking through a personal storm, it’s hard to imagine a better day. We wake up each morning just hoping and praying for our “rain” to stop. We get frustrated. Tired. Stressed. Angry at God. “Why aren’t you helping me?! Don’t You love me? What did I do to deserve this?!”
Sound familiar?
My family has had a good share of “rain” over the last few years. At times, it’s felt like we’ve been hit with one torrential downpour after another. Without question, the last 3 or 4 years have been the hardest of our life. I’ve had those resent-ridden conversations with God….pleading with Him to care…to step in…to let me see the sun. What I forget during these times of trials, is that “summer” IS coming. It always does.
Life does get better. Sometimes, when you’re deep in the trenches of pain and sacrifice, the thought that you could actually wake up happy one day seems far-fetched. You can’t imagine a scenario in which your family will be okay. You’re certain that God hates you and you’re destined to be unhappy forever. Trust me, I know about those feelings. I’m here to give you hope….and promise you that one morning…often when you least expect it, you’ll wake up to the sunlight, streaming in through your window, and life will start to turn.
Sometimes, there is no other way through the storm than to wait it out. I know the waiting is hard…but I also have come to understand that God’s timing is perfect. I’ve also come to understand that sometimes He allows things to happen. Good things fall apart so better things can come together. Sometimes, you’ll struggle to find a “reason” and make yourself crazy trying to figure out they “why” in your circumstances. Sometimes, the “why” never comes. Bad things happen….BUT, life WILL turn. Maybe you’ll experience a shift in attitude or in understanding. Circumstances will change. An opportunity will open up that wouldn’t have been there unless something else happened. Pieces begin to fit together. You’re eventually able to look back on the storm that transpired, and understand WHY.
The beauty of spring would never happen if not for the rain. Yesterday, we experienced a rare sunny day. It was gorgeous. We quickly let in the fresh air, and spent the day basking in the sun. When times are good….RELISH this life. Soak up every second of the blessings around you. As I was enjoying the sunshine, I started to think about the upcoming season of spring. New life begins in spring. Flowers emerge from the ground. Leaves start to re-appear on trees. Everything is new. None of those things would happen without the rain. Sometimes, we need the pain…the time of sacrifice…the time when new growth can occur.
If you are currently walking through a storm, I want to challenge you to keep going. Don’t give up hope. Trust in this time of growth and reflection, and know that the sun is coming. It always does. Wait.
I want to share with all of you the scripture that has become an anchor in my own life.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
16 So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. 17 These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. 18 There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.
Praying for you. Love you. Keep going.
One thing I’m learning is that “the sun coming up” doesn’t necessarily mean God is ever going to answer my prayers. I’m learning that I can’t hope for God to do something; I have to simply hope in Him alone. Someday, he is going to make everything right, but that doesn’t mean he’ll do it in the way I would expect. Thanks for the post, Bekki. Very encouraging.