For many people storms are loud & scary occurrences to be avoided at all costs. For whatever reason my grandfather didn’t subscribe to that particular theory, quite the opposite, he rather enjoyed storms.
My grandfather lived in Florida, so tropical storms happened frequently. I recall several occasions when storms blew in and while the rest of us huddled inside trying to distract ourselves from the raging turmoil, he was outside on the covered patio lounging comfortably in his recliner, peacefully watching the storm!
His behavior seemed so strange, I mean who sits outside in the middle of storm??? No one else I had ever met before or since confessed to such conduct, but he thoroughly enjoyed watching storms. He felt no fear, but rather awe at their magnitude. Lately I’ve begun to wonder if just maybe he was onto something, a nugget of truth that we would be wise to emulate.
I think perhaps, Gary Allan’s “Every Storm” provides some insight into my grandfather’s passion for storm watching.
The first verse of the song opens with, “I saw you standing in the middle of the thunder and lightning, I know you’re feeling like you just can’t win, but you’re trying, It’s hard to keep on keepin’ on, when you’re being pushed around, Don’t even know which way is up, you just keep spinning down, ‘round, down.”
Life can certainly throw challenges i.e., storms our way that make us feel as if our world is violently spinning out of control and that if something doesn’t change fast, we are going to drown. Sometimes we need the gentle reminder that “Every storm runs, runs out of rain, just like every dark night turns into day, every heartache will fade away” and while storms can leave devastation, post-storm recovery is possible.
Navigating through the storm is a must. My grandfather’s healthy respect for storms is one approach; he faced them head on, without fear. Some us prefer quivering under the bed but the problem with that approach is you gain no ground and are liable to end up a blubbering mess.
What happens when you decide to square your shoulders, hold your head high and walk directly into the storm? Well, chances are you’re going to end up soaking wet, and the wind is going to knock you on your backside. What then? Get back up, and try again, eventually the storm will subside, “it’s gonna run out of pain, it’s gonna run out of sting, it’s gonna leave you alone, it’s gonna set you free.”
By no means is it my intention to diminish whatever storm(s) you may be facing. Storms do exist as do the completely rational fear and anxiety associated with them. I just want offer encouragement, a beacon of hope, and the reassurance that no storm lasts forever. No matter how fiercely it may rage, batten down the hatches and hang on, for very soon, the sun will shine again.
Until Next Time,
Becky J Miller
“Warrior Princess”
*Additionally, you can read my “Living Outside The Lines” post on San Marcos Corridor News.