They come in all shapes... sizes... and types. They effect more than just our physical lives... but our emotional lives.
With the Storms/Tornadoes that have recently been running rapid all around the United States.... all the destruction left behind.... lives taken... and changed..... I sit and think about what is Gods plan in all that? So many communities... so many people.. so many different reactions and actions.
Storms .................. they are heavy winds.... pouring rains.... pounding hail..... and can be really cold. They can also be......... loss of jobs... car accidents.... death of dear friends or family members.... or health issues.
Storms are unexpected. They don’t come with a lot of warning.
Matthew 7:3....... "Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and does them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock." Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it." Two houses—similar storms—two outcomes. The difference is in how two people who build a house relate to their God.
Everyone has been through storms... and some ..... several of them.
We’ve all had a few storms in our lives and in our marriages.... and some storms more recent than others.....and I know some of you are in some storms right now because that’s the first lesson that we learn. Scripture forecasts storm warnings for all of us. There are storms on the ground. They are headed toward your marriage, and it’s not a matter of
if your home will be hit but
when your home will be hit.
Storms have hit my home several times in my life. Oh so many deaths in the family .... My son being diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome... a Family Feud that tore through the family for too many years... and most recent... my husband being diagnosed with Leukemia.
You know....storms can take their toll.... and storms can hit your home repeatedly... but I like to think of Jesus and what He said.
He talks about responding to the storms with faith and obedience. The storms will hit. The question isn’t why the storm has hit. The question is, "How will you respond?"
The storms provide an opportunity to prove your commitment. Storms—the tornadoes that have gone through so many homes of late tested the foundation of their house. Some did not fall, and the storms will do the same in your marriage. Storms are there to test the commitment of your marriage, the strength of your faith in the power of God to hold you together. It shows what you’re house was built on.
Storms give you an opportunity to give proof of the promise you two made to one another.
There are two ways to handle storms. You can either handle the storms together as a couple, or you can handle them and suffer separately
Storms create damage. That is really evident with the tornado of late because you can so so many trees uprooted and yards destroyed... but some houses miraculously still intact.... but everything around the house can be a disaster.
That damage has to be cleaned up, and it can take some time to do. The key to this thing is what do you see through and after the damage? I think we underestimate the impact of the damage that comes, but there can be a benefit ....on the other side of working through all of that—you may have a lot more sunlight in your yard because you don’t have as many trees!
Just stop for a moment and look.... you may see more clearly because the storms clear out things that we think are fine. God wants to move things around so that we can see Him more clearly. So, address the damage that comes from the storms in your life.
We all deal with storms and their damage differently... some fall apart and cant deal alone... some are oh so strong and can move right through it... and some are a bit of both.... they are very strong.. take on anything that comes at them... but has those moments of just needing someone else to carry the load for a bit. No matter how you deal with your storm... Dont ever look away from God. He is the only one that can and will get you through the storm!
God Bless you all.
.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸Tam¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸
I have 5 coats of polyurethane on the stairs.... may do a couple more... but for now... its awesome. I put down treads for the stairs so the boys wont slip.... and I think they look great!
Here is the landing............ LOVE IT! This runner carpet doesn't match the stair treads very well... but for now .. it will do! :)
