My seven-year-old daughter is terrified of thunderstorms. Every night when I’m tucking my sweet Ella into bed, she will say, “Please watch the weatherman and come get me if it is windy, rainy or thundery.”
One day as we were walking into swim practice on a clear, picture-perfect day, I said, “I’m so thankful for the beautiful weather and sunshine.”
She agreed and added, “I like the storms too, Mom.”
“Then maybe you could sleep in your own bed when it storms!” I laughed.
“I like the storms because afterwards God makes a beautiful rainbow,” she said, “and everything starts to grow again.”
I was shocked at her wisdom. Most of all, I was a very proud mom because I knew she was learning an important life lesson.
Storms are a part of life. They unexpectedly blow into our lives and leave us tattered and torn. When they finally end, we must pick up the pieces and rebuild. Being a Christian isn’t a promise from God that nothing bad will ever happen; however, being a Christian is what helps us rebuild after we have experienced our own personal storms.
When my daughter was three, I became pregnant with our second child. My husband and I went to our first prenatal appointment with much excitement and a list of questions ranging from prenatal vitamins to when I could fly during my pregnancy. It’s amazing how you forget this stuff from the first time!
During the ultrasound, a perplexed look came across my doctor’s face. After what seemed like an eternity, she told me I had a “missed miscarriage”. My heart sank. I couldn’t talk or cry. I was numb.
My body never recognized the miscarriage. Two weeks later, I had to undergo a D&C on our seventh wedding anniversary. I didn’t think it was fair. We have a loving, Christian home. We’re good people. Why? I felt empty and desolate. The sadness hurt. I wondered if anything would ever be the same again.
It wasn’t easy, but we rebuilt after our storm by praying, thanking God for our many blessings, and seeking the support of family and friends. I was reminded that my life experiences, including the destructive storms, determine who I am. The rebuilding process required strength and patience, but a rainbow did follow. We were blessed with our son.
Our storms give each of us a unique story. I pray that when you find yourself in the midst of a storm, you will remember that a rainbow follows. After the rainbow, everything grows.
“Consider it pure joy…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
Without the miscarriage (a horrible life storm), we wouldn't have our sweet son (the rainbow).
The Conversation: Think of one of your life’s storms. After you gave yourself time to grieve and/or heal (which could take months or years, depending on the storm), did a rainbow follow? Please share your stories!