A Stormy Situation

It's dry.

Again.

A farmer's wife seems to always have the petition for rain on her prayer list, and today is no different.

I am reminded of the need each time I look at my van.

Wash me!

A thick layer of dust connects across each hill and valley of its exterior, separated only by the occasional handprint and imploring "wash me" memo written carefully by the hand of an unidentified child.

But, alas, there are baseball players to deliver, piano students to transport, and swimmers to take to the welcoming waters of Pawpaw's pool.  There are meals to bring to weary farmers, groceries to transfer home and bags of grain to hand over to the hungry cow waiting within the gaping doors of a big red barn.

I contemplated washing the ole girl today, but the billowing dust of the driveway informed me of the uselessness of it all.  Before sunset, my van would likely sport yet another garment of grime so instead I checked the sky, longing for a storm... or even a hint of rain.

Storms instigate fear.  For many, it's surging winds, green skies and pelting rains strike panic within their hearts.  As a child, I was one such person.  But I've learned something fascinating from the eagle, and so I must share.

Eagles love storms!

They can detect storms long before the dark clouds cover the horizon and, according to research, the eagles become "excited" when they see a storm approaching.  They don't escape the storm - instead they use those gale force winds to carry them higher than ever before.


I thought of that today as I zipped across country roads.  Hot, sunny days are what so many long to hear on the weather forecast.  Still, to have endless days of summer sun would ultimately leave us with  powdery dust and parched soil.

No growth.

No bounty.

Only famine.

And despair.

And death.

Rising up like an eagle is a common phrase in our society, but can I suggest even more?  Life will have it's share of storms, can we welcome their disturbances in our lives?  Can we become excited as we see the storms impending arrival?

It is above the storms winds that an eagle is able to find rest, for there it is able to soar effortlessly, forced by the angry gusts to climb higher where it can enjoy the unbroken, panoramic display of the earth below.

Welcome the storms.  Lift up your hands to Your Creator.  Let Him teach your spirit how to rise above the howling winds and deafening thunder.  He has the power to take you higher than ever before and there you'll find rest as you drink in the beauty of His majesty and power.

Your righteousness reaches to the skies,

O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? 

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

you will restoremy life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. 

I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 

My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you--

I, whom you have redeemed. 

Psalm 71:19-23