In Life There Will Be Storms

With actual storm behind us the remnants of "Storm Sandy" remain across most of the East Coast in the United States. Similar to a storm of this magnitude, stress has a similar impact on our lives. It can be terrifying, heartbreaking, and gut-wrenching in the midst. 

It is during the storm that many will contact you to remind you they are thinking and praying for you. Even in the moments and days following your stressor, friends and family will purpose time and efforts to help you feel better. 

It is this time of transition during and directly following a tragic event or stressful situation when it is easy to remember. We are a busy society. Sadly, it is during these times we remember the pain and suffering of others but as time passes, so do our good intentions.

Do not misunderstand me, I am as guilty as the next person OR maybe it is only I that struggles to remember the pain doesn't end or disappear just because the calendar has changed to a new month and the list of things-to-do has tripled. Is it just me?

Is there someone in your life that you helped through a difficult situation? As you went through a difficult situation, what is one way another helped you? Do you say an extra prayer for this person on the anniversary of their loss or during a specific holiday? What about at other times during the year?

This blog is not to invoke guilt or hard feelings but a reminder. A reminder I needed this week. As the raged outside I realized a friend and special person to me continues to struggle with loss. 

Did I think of her and her family at the start of school? Yes. Do I think of them each time a "special" school event takes place? Yes. 

Do I sit down and write them a note, call them, or drop them an email each time I remember them and their pain? No. Do I let them know I am praying for them each time the Lord places them on my heart? No.

 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. 
There were also other boats with him. 

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, 
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves,
“Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down 
and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? 
Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified 
and asked each other, “Who is this? 
Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Mark 4:3541

I am not perfect and do not claim to be yet I should understand on a deeper level of the importance of "remembering" throughout the year, not just on the day tragedy struck. As I prayed for the physical safety of the east coast this past week, I also thanked God for this reminder.

The pain, hurt, and loss remains after the storm passes but the beauty and hope is...the Rainbow reveals itself in full splendor...AFTER the storm. How can you help a hurting friend, family member, or co-worker see the rainbow today?