We have had so little rain all year that whenever it does rain, we LOVE it! This past week we had our first big storm and it let loose! It turns out we were in the very center of it, and the direction of the wind changed several times before the rains and hail subsided.
I think it lasted about a half hour. The hail was on and off and thankfully never got bigger than peas and it didn't come down so heavy that it shredded everything. The garden even fared pretty well, though my poor corn, which was just tassling, is slightly askew.
There may be bruises on the fruit, and there are certainly more crab apples, plums, and regular apples on the ground than there were before, but the beauty that followed the storm was amazing!!! The rain came down so hard and so fast that it literally flooded our street. Charity waded out in gum boots, and couldn't go as far as the end of the street without the water rising above the boot level. The colors on that lake-like street were so beautiful as you can see in the photos.
The sunset was also amazing, and the light looked almost fiery as the sun set through the clouds and moisture that hung in the atmosphere.
I am so grateful for the moisture - we got all of 2 inches maybe more in that short time. I'm also very grateful that the hail didn't really do much damage. And on top of all that, there was such a neat feeling of rejoicing in the blessing of moisture and beauty that followed. It smelled wonderful and the nearby dill fields became ever more fragrant.
This week I've been pondering a little bit on the storms of life, and when this storm rolled through I was reminded that though storms come, and each one is a little different, bringing with it different challenges and struggles, there is a beauty that can be found. For me that beauty is in discovering the hand of God guiding me, blessing me, lifting me, comforting me, and extending His precious grace. The storms of life don't always end with a sunset, in fact, there are some that don't seem to end... but the beauty comes as I am strengthened to endure the storm, and empowered to face it with faith and trust that God hasn't forgotten me. I know He lives and that He loves not just me, but everyone. I know that He is intensely interested in our success as we face those storms. This knowledge is the equivalent of a beautiful, vibrant sunset in my life. It brings me joy, even when there is commotion or unrest and I am so thankful for that peace that settles on my soul in the heart of life's storms.
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