GROWTH BEGINS AT THE STORMS GREATEST HEIGHT

THE PORT OF LEARNING AND TRANSFORMING

A heart that looks with the eyes of hope sees promise

 

     Can you recall times as a small child when you loved to listen to the rainstorm?  You'd lie back on your bed and listen attentively as the rain fell on the roof, dreaming of great adventure.  Perhaps you were a northern child, as I was, and not only liked the rain, but, the snow storms as well.

 

     Truthfully though, most children like the snow storms for three special reasons (bet you can almost guess one of them):  [1] you like to watch it fall, [2] those awesome snowball fights and snow men {3] the possibility of school closing.  Wait a minute... did I say that?  Yes, I said school closings.

 

     Even for those of us who loved school, the genuine excitement of hearing on the radio that your school was being closed due to inclement weather was too much to bear.  But, as adults endeavoring upon a journey, the definition of storms can be a totally different scenario.

 

     The clouds, fury, and cold of a storm can be altering at best.  Sometimes, they can become extremely rough and rugged.  But, it all comes down to two things:  perception, and observation.  Now, a storm can be perceived as an end, right?

 

     But, take a moment to consider this point.  God provided the storm to provide refreshing rain for the flowers and things to grow.  Even though it can be rough terrain with challenging and unwelcomed circumstances the same also applies.  

 

     How can you grow even more as the unique individual God wants you to be if you don't learn and develop with challenging environments and terrain?  The best option is to be a fully equipped traveler.  Three important tools are needed:  faith, hope, and love.

 

     Faith is the guiding force that propels the importance of each step.  When you know that God is in charge, a peace and comfort fill your heart.  No matter what kind of darkness may fall, there will always be genuine, eternal light.  Hope is the great promise that is found in that light.

 

     It is the knowledge that through this challenge, there will be a refreshment or restoration, building the inner person bigger, stronger, and brighter than before.  Love is the masterful gift of God

's presence that moves so genuinely in the journeyman's heart.  It is that light that fills so completely, and illuminates so perfectly that makes one a better traveler.

 

     So, when the storms come, you don't have to view it as a negative thing on your travels.  Look with the eyes of a child and the love of the Lord, and see the adventure and the wonderful promise just over the horizon.

 

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