Like finger prints we're all unique. What we do share are storms. We all know when we've walked straight into the storms of life.
So, what do you do? When you're so thoroughly entrenched in the muck that slogging forward feels like quick sand. Or you're moving at snail pace. Then you see a social media post about leadership or being a perfect mom and they are sailing through their storm with perfect hair, bodies and dazzling smiles.
But that's not true. Storms are hard, they make you ugly inside and maybe out. The only perfect one I've ever heard of is Jesus, ok, HE can weather a storm in perfect grace. Us, on the other hand, not so pretty. Here's where mercy and grace are your besties.
What if you took a moment to stop and notice you are indeed in a storm. You're as fast as a sloth moving through it. Stop right there so I can point out something key here, MOVING. You might not be breaking any speed records but you ARE moving! This slight shift in perspective might seem insignificant but it can make all the difference. You just invited mercy and grace to the party.
I'll share a recent story of a personal storm of mine. We're under a deadline at work, the IRS doesn't care one iota about your clients excuses why they procrastinated until the final due date. We're super busy, mega OT. Then my biggest client has a banking disaster and needs tons of work done last minute. Then my employee leaves and that work hits my hands. Then I get shingles. I'm 45, you're not suppose to get shingles at 45. This was my second time getting it. Why? Stress. It was a storm all piled up at the same time with a ticking clock counting down.
The old me would have whined and complained, played the victim, wasted time doing so. Shingles hurts like the dickens. WHY GOD WHY? Did I like any of this? Definitely not. I wanted to curl up on a couch in my misery under a blankie.
What I didn't do was stop moving, I just dropped my expectations of speed, look and comparison. I let some stuff slide and gave myself the mercy it was ok for this short season. I saw the storm for what it was. I took my medicine and focused on one thing at a time making slow methodical progress. I believed it would blow over and on the other side I'd be stronger, more mature and have a greater appreciation for life outside of the storm. And perhaps an idea or two about dumping procrastinators!
Storms will pass. Always. Your storm can vary like a finger print. Jesus wanted us to get out of the boat during the storm and walk towards Him. He knew we'd be scared, look like crap, blow some things off, certainly not walk gracefully towards Him. I'm pretty sure He doesn't care one bit what we looked like or how fast we get there, He just wants us to keep moving towards Him at whatever rate of speed you are capable.
Eventually you'll get there. The storm will pass and the sun will shine upon you again.
