thunderstorms and blossoms
This week we’ve had the opportunity to experience some spring storms accompanied by thunder and lightning. I know many folks don’t like this kind of weather; I guess that is why so many move to Florida (Although Florida has more lightning than anywhere on earth – just sayn’). I like our mix of sunshine and clouds. I enjoy the seasons, each with its unique beauty.
When I was a kid growing up in central Indiana, I would sit on our front porch and revel in the flashes of lightning and claps of thunder. Somebody once told me the sound of thunder was God bowling up in heaven, and He always makes a strike. It made sense to me. My dad also liked this kind of weather, and we spent lots of quality time discussing this wonder of nature while the rains pelted our front yard. Thunderstorms are part and parcel of Indiana springs, sometimes accompanied by tornados—those monsters I could do without.
Central Pennsylvania doesn’t experience a lot of extreme weather. Flood waters sometimes rise, and a few rare tornados and significant snows befall us, but generally, our climate is mild. After witnessing the results of a hurricane in Florida a few weeks ago, I’m good with what we enjoy here in the Keystone State.
I remember one spring, I was sitting on the porch in Anderson, Indiana, watching the rain water the flowers, and suddenly, without warning, a strike of lightning hit the neighbor’s maple tree in their front yard across the street. It was accompanied by a thunderous boom that sounded like a bomb had exploded. The lightning split the tree in two, and there was a little boy across the street banging on the front door of his house crying and screaming, “Let me in! Let me in!” Mom opened the door to find her precious little boy shaking in fear while crocodile tears flowed down his rosy cheeks. After some warm mommy hugs and probably some hot chocolate, I returned to my usual ornery little self.
My bedroom is now at the front of my home, facing the cul-de-sac. I have two large west-facing windows through which I can enjoy our beautiful sunsets and the now mature trees throughout our neighborhood. The trees remind me that we built this home nearly thirty years ago. Indeed, time flies!
In my small, suburban front yard, there is a purple plum tree I planted many years ago. Last week I opened my shutters to behold delicate bright pink flowers budding from the branches of this purple-leaved tree. Simultaneously the sky lit up with a bolt of light, and the windows from which I was viewing quivered like that little boy on the porch so many years ago. I was immediately transported back through time by that one-second happenstance. Isn’t it amazing how such a small trigger evokes such a significant memory? Back to the plum tree . . .
It has rained for the past three days, and the skies are dreary again today. But once again, I gazed out my bedroom window a while ago, and even more, flowers glow on my little tree. My tree doesn’t seem bothered by the rain or storms; it just keeps budding and producing a spring display of glory.
This phenomenon reminds me of life. (Surprise, surprise – everything reminds me of life).
Storms will come and go, and sometimes the skies above us will be dreary for what seems like an eternity. The thunder leaves us shivering in surprise and fear while we stand amid our dark days, soaked to the bone like a wet dog.
But what we do not see is that even during those dark days, we are blooming. The inclement weather produces in us something that only a tempest can bring forth – beauty. There is always beauty springing from the harsh weather, but it is difficult to see when the rain is pelting your face.
In a few weeks, I will be traveling to Montana, where my sister, her husband, and my nephew and his wife live. I immensely enjoy that part of the country with its gorgeous mountains, meadows, and rushing streams full of trout. But this trip will be a bit different.
My nephew, with whom I am very close, has endured health issues for many months ranging from extremely high blood pressure to constant weariness and more. To their surprise, the medical world finally discovered that he has four seriously blocked arteries in his heart. It was quite a shock to my nephew as well. Well, that condition will certainly make you tired all the time, so now some of his maladies make sense. The downside is that he will undergo open-heart surgery to repair his broken heart.
Having experienced heart problems, I have a small understanding of the thoughts running through his mind. I’ve never known someone who experienced dire heart issues and did not, at some point, face their mortality, which is not fun. We all face this reality at some point, but when it comes upon us like a bolt of lightning out of nowhere, it is tough to grasp.
So, I’ll visit with him and his wife to help where I’m needed. (You’re taking your chances asking me to help with this stuff, but I’m available. Ha!) Meanwhile, he and I have discussed this dilemma at some length, and I’ve hopefully been a bit of a realistic but encouraging sounding board. He’s in the midst of a spring storm, and it is not pleasant.
Yet, looking out the window towards Big Sky Country, I see traces of beauty budding from this upheaval. Joe’s strength and determination are budding alongside a winsome and graceful spirit, depending on the Great Healer to work His magic. His wife walks with him every uncertain step, as does my sister and her husband, his father, who will also make the journey out west, and me. Glorious blooms of love are emerging everywhere, and that is beautiful.
I would never wish this disorder on anyone, much less my nephew, but, like my plum tree, beauty will emerge in full view for all to see. Please pray for my nephew and his wife and family.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5 NLT)
17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (1 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)
The clouds of travail sometimes shroud these truths, but nevertheless, they are maxims upon which we can depend. May God’s Spirit bloom in you, even through the storms.
Live Inspired!
Don Mark
P.S. Some folks among you have reported receiving messages from me that were erroneous and out of character. Indeed, they are not coming from me, and I have tried to shut them down. If you receive something that seems “fishy” from me, please ignore it.
