Here in California, the weather has been CRAZY! So much so, that one of the first things I do each morning is check the weather app to see if I need to put on galoshes and a rain slicker, sneakers and a light sweater or my woolen socks and gloves (and if I lived a little higher in elevation, snowshoes and a parka!)

For the past few days, I’ve been attending a training that has been really great, and also intense at the same time. Imagine 40+ therapists in a room learning more about how to provide therapy that is specifically emotion-focused, complete with live demonstrations and active role-plays. That’s a lot of feelings!

Today, during a short break, I was drawn to the open door to get some fresh air, and before I even got there, an enormous thunder cloud that must have been passing overhead, let loose a torrential rain that pelted the building’s roof, windows, cars in the parking lot and several unsuspecting people now running for cover. There were loud claps of thunder and flashes of lightening that put on quite a short, but brilliant display.

As I stood at the door taking it all in, I looked up and saw an opening in the black clouds that was brilliant white and sky blue….it was so beautiful and made me smile to think of the warm sun and all that blue sky above this angry-looking storm cloud, as if waiting patiently for its turn. Within moments, it had all blown over as quickly as it had come and just like that – blue skies and sunshine!

As I settled down to write Day 16, a bit tired mentally and emotionally, I thought of that moment at the door where I could so clearly see both the storm and the blue sky, and a wave of gratitude washed through me as I recalled the times in my life when the storms were so fierce and threatening I would have sworn there could never be anything else. And all along, waiting for their turn just above the thunder, were white clouds and blue skies….

I know it’s a well-worn metaphor, but today it truly moved me as I was reminded of God’s care for me even when I couldn’t begin to recognize it. There are still plenty of stormy days, and probably always will be (good thing I like the rain!), but there is also the promise that they won’t persist without being moved along by a shift in the wind and I get to feel the sun again.

I wish there could be a Weather Alert system for the life-storms that seem to come out of nowhere – that we could wake up, look at the app and brace ourselves for what’s to come, don’t you? But what we DO have is the assurance that God hasn’t forgotten us – that he is present with us in the stormiest of weather, and he knows how to keep us safe until the skies clear again.

And that’s a really good feeling.

So much love,

Shellie