Storm

It's that time of year again when thunderstorms stretch all of the way across the country.

We had a great one the other night!  The sky would not just illuminate so it looked like daytime but it would light up with sometimes three or four distinct lightning bolts.

Even though I was driving, every time this would happen, I would squeal with joy.  "Did you see that one?!"  It drove my sister nuts.

Sitting next to me in the passenger seat she was less than thrilled to be out in a storm.  Before even getting in the car, she repeatedly told me to drive safely.  She asked several people to text her if our Tornado Watch turned into a Tornado Warning.  She was counting down the minutes until we made it home safely and praying the storm would pass quickly.

I too was excited to get home. I wanted to sit by our Palladian window and watch the lightning.  She wanted to sit in the basement away from all windows.

Two reactions to the same thunderstorm.  Likewise, there can be two reactions to the same life storm.

The reaction of Christina: praying it passes quickly, closing your eyes and hoping for a safe delivery to the other side, and wincing when the lights flickers.

The reaction of her older, wiser sister: enjoying the journey, getting a thrill from the unknown, and hoping the power goes out so the views are undistributed.

God, let me enjoy life storms as much as I enjoyed that thunderstorm.  May I not just pray for it's quick passing but may I see Your peace amidst and through the storm.  May I rejoice in every trial, see Your hand in every situation, and delight in the journey rather than waiting for the final result.  If that's what it takes to praise You, bring the storm!

It makes me think of the MercyMe song "Bring the Rain"

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

What about you?  Do you prefer the stormy parts of life or the peaceful?  Can you dance in the rain or do you ask for smooth sailing?

Learning to enjoy the storms of life,
<>< Katie

Flickering Lights

Not going to lie, the flickering lights last night were downright annoying. Likewise, life without God is down right annoying. Yet we all have flickers in life. Long, short, fast, frequent... they all exist. The good thing is that when the light goes back on it's brighter. Let God shine brighter in Your life today.

<>< Katie

PS. Like the shorter post? If you actually read this, let me know, please!

Light of the World

I had written a blog about garbage men and trash pickers, but it really had no point, so I deleted it and started over with something more useful. Then I wrote a second one but didn't like it either... so now we're on attempt three, I hope you like it!

God calls us to be a light to the world. I want to encourage you not to be like the light over the sink in my dorm room.

This light turns on quite slowly so you stand in a dark room for a minute or two before it finally decides it'll light up. Don't be slow to answer God's call, but trust in Him whether you understand it or not. (Chances are, normally it will be the latter).

This light randomly goes out. My roommate and I will be sitting there and all of the sudden the room gets darker. The first time it happened, we thought the light was broken and put in a work order. When the maintenance man came, the light turned on and worked fine. We were embarrassed and he had less work to do one day. Don't go out when you need God the most. Don't hide behind a bushel. Stand firm.

This light also has a tendency to flicker back on then off again. On again, off again. Do you always follow Christ or do you flicker in your obedience? Do you follow today, disobey tomorrow?

Ok, maybe one of the other two blogs I wrote this morning was better, but I'm not starting over again. Sorry all. I need a job.

<>< Katie

"I [Jesus] have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." John 12:46