A storm is brewing in the Gulf of Mexico prompting me to check the weather app on my phone regularly – just to see the extent of the rain and path of the disturbance. I can look outside and see the rain, but the radar gives me a wider perspective.  I also check out where my daughter lives, so I can send her a text and let her know if it is raining at her house.  She appreciates that.

This morning, though, I did something different.  I scrolled over the entire world.  I saw storms in Norway and in Taiwan, clear weather over Mongolia and China, and Switzerland appeared to be getting a nice shower.  I thought about Merita, a growing girl in Ghana, and a young couple in the Philippines who are expecting their second child. I remembered a gentleman who preaches on the island of Mauritius and believers in the church in Senegal. So many people across this wide world looking at the day’s weather and what the day will bring.

And I thought about God. I thought about His love, not just for me and mine, but for the people of the entire world – not just a general love, but an encompassing love that reaches to each individual, offering grace.

I thought how His heart must hurt over our rebellion and disregard for His children. 

Then I looked back at the storm in the Gulf. It seemed so much smaller when I looked at it in the context of the entire world. It is bringing much needed rain to many, and it will bring hardship to others.  Yet, while the storm will govern our activities for the next couple of days, many people across the world will never know it occurred. 

I guess if I need to bring some closure to these thoughts, it will be that any storm that is overpowering me at this moment in my life will not last forever.  There is life outside of and beyond the storm. 

There are people and needs outside of and beyond my storm.

And most of all, God is here with us in the storm – today and every day.

Isaiah 43: But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

² When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

May your day be blessed!

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