Beauty In The Storm

Columbine in a thunderstorm

I’m like everyone else; I don’t like storms in my life. I don’t appreciate them when they are happening. I feel out of control and afraid.

One thing I have come to learn is that if it wasn’t for the storms that have raged and thundered in my life, I would probably never have come to have the relationship with the Lord I have today. I may not even know him at all!

When I am in the midst of life’s problems, it pushes me to find shelter in the only truly unwavering and unshakeable place there is ~ ultimately, in the arms of God. I want to run to Him. Because I give up my way and run to Him, little by little, I die to myself… and I live in Him, and He in me!

My husband and I experienced many years of infertility ~ we were married 19 years when we had our first child. In those days, I could not see how much it drew me to my Bible in an attempt to find answers. Now I look back and can thank God for the intense pain that made me seek Him.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1: 2-4

Let us draw near to the Lord and wrestle with our lack of faith. Let us build on the Rock (Jesus) , ‘the author and finisher of our faith’, so when storms come, we will stand firm.

Columbine Seedlings

As these baby columbine came from seed that had to first die to bear fruit, so we must die to self to bear fruit.

“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”     ~John 12: 24

***We continue to pray for all of you that have been affected by the storms and tornadoes several weeks ago.

~ Jacqueline