Before the evening was over, I spotted a rainbow. Two of them, actually, way down the valley long after our rain was finished. Thunder rumbled back and forth along distant ridges; the horizon was white with downpour. I felt a little sad that our storm was ended, while "they" were still having rain and storm and wild wind a few miles away. It was a glorious storm. I loved it, loved that storm, wanted to somehow be a part of it, to throw my arms in the air and end up in that storm cloud. My heart swelled with praise to God for the power and glory and wonder of the storm.
In the storms of my life, not so much. And, from what I hear from other people, not so much in their lives either. I (we) resist the storm, resent it, and really want it to just go. away. now. I don't want to praise God in it or for it. I want it to be gone.
My life has been a bit stormy in recent...days/weeks/months/years. Let's just say it's complicated. And I frequently forget the truth of this song which I hadn't heard for awhile until...today. (Driving home from the airport alone. But that's a separate post.)
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I'm with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I will praise Him in the storm.