We were standing in her large garage, the open door letting in the oven-like heat. And this soft-spoken Texas lady said, "Hurricanes are terrible for those in the south; it's so hard for them. But for us, when those hurricanes come, they bring rain." She paused. "And the whole desert blooms overnight . . ."
I recently read Ann Voskamp's book "One Thousand Gifts." It's beautifully written, lovingly worded, and completely devastating. The book follows Voskamp's journey to reconcile the "bad things" that happen to us with the sovereign hand of a loving God. Her conclusion? That all things - even bad things - happen because God is gracious, and that we ought to respond in gratitude. Hence, dear reader, the "devastating" part.
I'm discovering I'm not a huge fan of God's sovereignty when it interferes with my own. I don't like being grateful - or even accepting - the hurricanes in my life because it means relinquishing control. I want my life to go my way, and my way does not include hurricanes.
But our lives are not our own. And He rallies my faith, reminding me that He is so much better than I think He is; that life with Him (without me in control) is so much sweeter, so much freer, so much bigger, than my control-fueled, wheedling anxiety. And that He works all things together for good - real, true, sink-your-teeth-in good.
It's not a matter of me giving anything of worth up, but of gaining Him.
So take heart, you disappointed, you battered, you dry-cracked hurting souls. Don't fear the "bad things" - your hurricane of the heart. Because as you loose control, you gain Him. He has the answers, and He will bountifully sustain you. Endure the hurricane, and you will reap the peace.
And you will bless the hurricane that devastated you - because it brought His rain reign.
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