As I look outside, the grass in my yard is green and neatly trimmed. The tress are full and vibrant. The flowers on my plant are blooming the best that they have all year. Nature is lively and blooming. Although in its beauty I think of the rain that drenched the ground below it. I think of storms that had to come. I think of rainy days that kept us inside. That’s the thing about the rain or storms, they may give us cloudy days and rolling thunder and may strike us with lightening at times. Though when the storm passes, beauty grows. The grass is left greener and more vibrant, thicker. The trees are nurtured. The flowers are brought out. Though through the big storms, things can look quite devastating. Though those are the storms that really bring out the people. A community strengthened, as they navigate the destruction around them and find perseverance through the storm that tried to destroy them. As they work together to rebuild the destruction that tried to destroy everything they built. Storms are relatable to life. Some storms bring about strength and character; like the strengthening of nature in a thunderstorm. Though through disastrous storms that try to break down the beauty that was created, we find humanity. For those storms bring together a community, reminding one another of the love and compassion for each other. Recently there was a major hurricane and many were badly affected in one way or another. Though I am fortunate that we were not, I am sorry for those which were. I do not want to know of their devastation and I won’t pretend to fully understand it. Although I do not know why God allows for storms to come, both literal and metaphoric; I do know that His plans are still good and there is beauty in some way, that can be found after the storms of life passes.

Friend, storms come sometimes. At times they are small, sometimes they are big. May we hang onto prayer, Gods hope, and hang tight to one another. Even as the storms may come, God remains with us through it all. Even if we do not see it right away, He will remind us of His love. Maybe it will be in the neatly, full, lush grass, the tall trees that stand full or the flowers that bloom. Maybe it will be in the friendships and compassion of a loved one or even a stranger; who came to offer a hand in your need. Though we cannot stop storms, we can grow in beauty through them. For if we have God with us through it all, rain or shine, there will be beauty to be found.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Psalm 30:5 NIV

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.