Storms

This morning as I got ready to go to work, I could hear the thunder rolling in. It was quite loud and very intense. I got my things ready and headed out the door. I had set a goal to make it to work and that is what I intended to do. The rain began to fall as I walked to my car, the thunder still rolling and the darkness surrounded me. It was a strange darkness, it seemed to absorb the light, making it seem that much more dark. As I got into my car, now dripping from the rain, I prepared for the trip in, generally it takes me about 45 minutes, but I knew today would be different, because of all that was happening around me.

I finally left the parking lot and got on the road, the rain was coming down even harder now, it hit the road, my head lights seemed to be absorbed into the darkness and the rain, not being able to see to far in front of me, but the lightening that lit up the skies and the lightening was moving from cloud to cloud and streaks to the ground, it was quite the amazing sight. As I left the town I live in, I saw that the roads were covered in water, the rain dancing on the surface and sheets of rain coming down, it was an awe inspiring moment, but one I had a choice to make. I could sit and wait it out, or I could continue on my way. Cars ahead and behind me were moving at slow pace, but they were moving. I continue to move forward and making my way to my goal. I wasn't going to let the storm that was full of power and might, it wasn't going to stop me.

I continued to drive, the storm let up a little and then with all the power it had left, it rained down on me, raining so hard it was almost to difficult to see, the rain and hale that came forth was amazing, the storm waged around me, but instead of giving up and saying that it was to dangerous and turning back, I pushed on, the winds whipped the rains and the darkness just made me feel like their was no way out, just encompassing me into a pit of wondering if it would end.

The rain let up and soon I was driving towards an area not dark and miserable, but the light was shining through the clouds, I could see my way even through the rain.

I realized how much our lives are like that storm, we face odds that don't make sense to us, we get hit with high winds, rain and darkness and can't seem to find our way, but I believe the key to it all is to have a goal a destination a prize to focus on. As soon as we take our eyes from the prize we see the rain, the darkness that surrounds us, we lose hope, the fear of wondering if it will ever stop sets in. We think we want to turn back and not reach the prize because the storm is to big, to powerful, to much.

Today I urge you not to take your eyes off the prize, continue working towards that prize whether it be a relationship, a stronger marriage, your kids and the list goes on. The storms will come, the bridges will come to promise shelter for a time, but if we take shelter to long, we don't learn that we can make it, that through the struggles that we can press forward. Don't give up, it is easy to grow tired and weary and focus on the all the darkness, but you will come out of the storm stronger still if you focus on the prize. Don't lose hope, for today is a new day and in this day there is hope for so much more.