On Learning to Dance in the Rain

Have you ever run into a message from God everywhere you turn?

That was me this week. God had something to tell me, and He made absolutely sure I could not miss it.

Just saying that gives me goose bumps, that God would be so intentional surrounding me with His message so that by week’s end I could not dare to deny it.

The message…

I got this.

Yes, I know it’s raining.

I got it.

Just dance.

The storms of this life are constant- that is never going to change.

At times a light drizzle causes slight discomfort, other times the downpour is so heavy you can’t see to put one foot in front of the other.

Somehow Christians come to believe that because of Jesus life is going to be easy. Yet the clear message is that life is most definitely not going to be easy. (2 Timothy 3:12, John 16:33) It’s going to be downright unbearable at times. This world is not our home.

The storms in June have raged around me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel flood waters nipping at my heels.  The emotional hard days in June came one after the other- Father’s Day, what should have been my 15th anniversary, taking a child to the hospital for surgery.

But, the promise of Jesus is, no matter what storms come, you never have to go through them alone. If we let Him, Jesus will be our shield, our comfort, our shelter, our strength.

Yes, it’s raining… dance!

The first whispers of this message came as I studied Acts alongside She Reads Truth. It began with the reminders that God is right here with me- no matter what I’m facing, or what I’m feeling.

This boy has outside radar. No matter how quietly I slip out he’s sure to be just minutes behind me. It’s been a hard week- fear & worry pressing in. This morning’s @shereadstruth message was the reminder needed for a weary heart and body. Acts 7:9 … but God was with him. He is faithful and no matter what I walk through He is right there with me. Today I’m so grateful that not only is my Father always right there with me, but also that He has placed loving hands and hearts around me to help and love on us. I cannot imagine making it through a week like this without that provision.

A photo posted by Amanda (@bigfamilyblessings) on Jun 15, 2016 at 8:24am PDT

Another day’s reading with She Reads Truth brought me to 2 Peter 4: 19.

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

I highlighted the verse, and even placed a marker there, wanting to come back for more study. That verse encompasses the whole of my life right now. The suffering is still great, but I’m trusting God, and I’m striving to do good with all that I’m trying to juggle as a single Mom.

Then, one morning a light drizzle during chore time turned into a steady rain. I stood in the dry doorway of the barn and watched as my daughter delighted in that rain. It didn’t stop her in her tracks, instead she started dancing through her chores. Spinning, laughing, leaping, arms spread and face upturned to meet that storm. I instagrammed that morning…

Chores with this girl on a rainy morning. Life really is something good… Especially with this girl reminding me to dance in the rain, to wear a pretty dress with mud boots, and to slow down to enjoy life while getting those chores done. Now it’s party time. Yay weekend! #farmkid #farmlife #farmmom #coffee #danceintherain #momlifeisthebestlife A photo posted by Amanda (@bigfamilyblessings) on Jun 25, 2016 at 8:54am PDT

The same day, I went to spend a night at my parent’s house. Unbeknownst to me, Mom redecorated the room where I sleep, adding words to a wall.  She and I have never talked about dancing in the rain before, yet these are the words she chose for the wall in ‘my’ room. And it didn’t stop there either! On Sunday, I went to a new Sunday School class and the lesson brought us to 2 Peter 4, the same chapter I’d touched on while reading with She Reads Truth. In Sunday School we read verse 12.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trail when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Its safe to say the past few years have been a fiery trail and something strange. This is never a life I planned for, hoped for, or imagined. Of all the trials life may have thrown at me, this is the one I would have never believed possible.

But here I am, raising 6 children as a single mom, and God has proven so faithful and so steadfast, even as those flood waters nip at my heels.

The truth is, I can’t tell you how to learn to dance in the storm life has thrown at you. But I can tell you, if you keep seeking Jesus, eventually you will realize you are dancing in the storm. Once, I didn’t believe it was possible either.

But, I’ve stopped looking back so often at those flood waters nipping at my heels. Instead I’m looking up, face turned toward the rain, arms outstretched, trusting God to keep solid ground under my feet, and finding joy in the midst of the storm.

Suddenly I realize I’m doing more dancing than drowning.

Another truth that I’m learning about the rain:

Amazing things happen when it rains. The grass gets greener, roots grow deeper, trees get stronger, flowers bloom and reach toward the sky.

It’s not any different for people. The storms are uncomfortable- even downright painful – but they bring growth and strength and even beauty.

All the tears that poured down with the rain, they weren’t for nothing.

They weren’t for nothing.