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.
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
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.
Making the best out of “stormy situations” is something I have been working more on. It can be hard to do but so fulfilling. Just look for the rainbow!
Can I just say I’m weeping! I needed to read this. Thank you for writing and sharing this. Yes rain does some amazing things so we shouldn’t be upset about rain. Instead dance in the rain!!!!!
Praying for you today.
I love this! I am working through some things and weathering some storms, but this too shall pass and until then we will dance in the rain.
Praying for you as you dance in the rain.
We’d all like to think we don’t need those storms and that life would be better with just perfect days. It is true, we need the rain to strengthen our roots, cleanse, and appreciate what we have. I really enjoyed your post!
Exactly! We do need some storms to appreciate the other stuff.
Beautiful! I always try to keep in mind hard times and getting through them will make me stronger, and it will be a lesson learned. It is difficult to keep that thought process in the middle of the storm, once it passes I see it was a lesson learned. Life is beautiful with all of its highs and even lows.
So true!
Isn’t it wonderful how God can use so many different things to point us in the direction we need to go? Thankful that you are dancing in the rain!
It is so amazing!
I remember, as a young girl, there was a drought where we lived. After it had not rained for many WEEKS, once it started, my siblings and I went out to dance in the rain. After the suffering from the sun and heat, we rejoiced at receiving rain.
Very thoughtful. I always turn to my Bible when a storm brews in my life. I learned long ago, there is no easier way to ride it out.
That is the truth. That an some praise music!
Thank you so much for this reminder! Most times I let the storm get to me… a lot of the times actually.. and I have to remind myself that God can pull me out of it. Sometimes, I need to learn to dance in the rain.
It’s never easy to stand in the rain when all you want is to be warm and dry. It’s easier on the other side, looking back and able to see God’s provision in hindsight!
God always has an upper story that we do not know. I trust that His plans are always better than my own and He is always working for my good. This was a great reminder and refreshing I’m not the only one that sometimes need neon signs to catch my attention.
I’m always so thankful at his patience, and for those neon signs!
Oh wow! I love when God tries to get my attention that way! I’ll see something over and over. And I’m really with you in learning to dance in the rain. 2016 has definitely been my year to hear and learn this message. Obviously I am still learning something as our second air conditioner broke today. Two in a month. Plus the dryer and illnesses and ER trips and . . . and . . . and I couldn’t list all the growth opportunities this year has supplied me with. But God has gotten me through it all, been a source of joy even in the daily crises.
Hugs and prayers for you! It can be so hard to dance in the rain when trial after trial comes- I totally understand that.
preach on Amanda! This is such a good message. I am dancing in the rain with you!