Riding Out the Storm. A Note from Jan.
Odd day. No sunshine. Experiencing some sort of California nor’easter.
Rain slapping Wind howling Pines bending Window rattling storm.
Blossoms swirl like snowflakes Daffodils bent and flattened Japanese Magnolia petals pepper the lawn in pink. Strange sight for February 6th.
My eye keeps coming back to one small nest in the midst of nature’s noisy show. It stays. Secure in the crook of two branches on a spindly tree. The tree trunk, bearing only a few branches, sort of resembles a ship’s mast as it swings side to side, Nest riding out the storm. Wind bent trunk, swaying back and forth, yet the nest stays, secure as a knot. Going nowhere in the storm. Steady.
I take it as a sign. Two signs. Storms come. They’re part of life. But I also take heart because I’m as secure as that nest in the crook of my Father’s arm. You, too.
One night as I sang, “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands,” to Basil, he asked, “How can God have the whole world in His hands? What will He stand on?” Never thought of that one, either! So we had a conversation about God and the Universe.
As Nature hurls her fury today, I take hope from the curiosity of a small 4 year old who asks good questions, giving me fresh perspective on God, nature and the gift of mystery. I take courage from a small nest that stays in place while a storm’s fury pummels it. And I take joy in two truths: Storms don’t last. And spring always follows winter … no matter what that overstuffed groundhog predicts.
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Love you momo!
Have you heard of Laura Story, Jan? I love her song "Blessings" (her young husband has suffered from brain tumors—she knows of which she sings)...
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
’Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
’Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It’s not our home
’Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
The song “Blessings” can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0&feature=share
The story behind “Blessings” can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDiTuSLSJB8&feature=related
Jan. I really vibrated with your picture of a little bird's next nestled in between a couple of twigs and perfectly secure and safe during the storms (and there are storms) until the sun comes out and the wind dies down and it is Spring. Oh how we look forward to July and it's green again.
We went to Crane Beach this morning and found ice, ice everywhere. Little access to the beach with Riley. We made a try on the horse trail to the beach but were told by braver (or crazy folks) that the sand on the beach was total frozen over and unwalkable. Decided to wait until some Spring showed itself to try again. No broken bones today. We'll all await heavenly sunshine. Betty and Bob
Such good thoughts. I am encouraged. Been meaning to write you a letter about our storm. Can't tell you enough how much your posts have blessed us as we ride it out. Continually praying for you too dear Jan!!
Good truth - we are as secure as that nest!