A title like this would usually lead to a blog post about how God walks with us and talks with us as we face the trials in our lives.  I’ve written about that more times than I can count.  And it’s absolutely true.

But this week I’m talking about an actual physical storm.  Regardless of where you live in this country, the chances are high you’ve been dealing with some nasty weather.

I have friends in Florida and Arizona right now who have been dealing with torrential rains, tornado warnings, and near-freezing temps in the desert.

Here in Iowa, we just got the second-place prize for the most snow in a 5-day period – 22.3 inches from Monday through Friday last week.  Just ½ inch shy of breaking the 1942 record.  Add to this the 45 mph wind gusts leading to blizzard warnings for days on end, accompanied by actual low temps near 20 below zero.  Let’s not even talk about windchills.  Oh why not?  They’ve been between 45-50 below zero at times.

So, this is a whopper of a storm and led to challenges across the state.  I also struggled with challenges that were more emotional and spiritual in nature.  Most of that was not pretty.

Of course an event of this magnitude would result in a blog topic idea.  Here is a rundown of the ways I saw and heard God through these past few days.

• The stark, but overwhelming beauty of two 11+ inch snowfalls could not be ignored.  It truly was a winter wonderland designed by the Creator himself.  I wish I had taken more than the token few moments here and there to truly appreciate its splendor.
• I was reminded of God’s extraordinary power as I heard and saw the effects of those powerful winds.  They were frightening to a great degree as I heard my home creaking in response.  But the drifting that resulted from those winds was absolutely stunning, and reminded me that there is clearly beauty displayed along with God’s power.
• God’s commandment to Adam to care for the animals continues to this day as my attention for these brutal days was on my sweet Maisy, who was forced to do her business in conditions that were nearly unbearable.  Clearing the deck, the steps, a path through the back yard, and a circular area for her was the focus of my existence!  Of course, I will do whatever I can to care for this precious little girl.
• Through the aftermath of the snowfall, as the blizzard conditions kicked in, I found myself shoveling about seven times on Saturday to keep all these pathways open.  The first round began around 7 am and finished about 9 pm that evening.  I was literally praying that God would protect me from having a heart attack.  That’s how completely overwhelmed I was from this exertion. How blessed was I, and how grateful to God, when a good friend checked in on me and insisted that I text her before I went out to shovel, and again when I got back inside, safe and sound.  Well, at least safe!  God’s clear provision and protection when I was feeling most vulnerable.
•  The isolation and loneliness did a number on me emotionally, and even spiritually.  Pretty easy to go down the “woe is me” path and feel as though no one cares, even when I know it’s not true.  So God brought a phone call from a precious widow friend to talk with me and remind me that, ultimately, we can always count on God who will never let us down, regardless of how we might be feeling. My neighbors took one of the shoveling “shifts” and then the whole family did clean-up duty on my drive which had drifted back in pretty badly.  I’m grateful they offered to be the [frozen] hands and feet of Jesus!
• These words from my “More Precious than Silver” devotional by Joni Eareckson Tada also spoke to me, “Be sure that God knows what little you have to offer.  Is it a bit of obedience?  God will multiply it.  Is it a weak prayer?  A small word of testimony? A feeble effort to encourage others in their pain?  I promise you (no, God promises you) that he will expand your offering.  It will not be wasted.”
• And finally, on Sunday, despite the record cold, God allowed the sun to brighten up our snowy world, and remind me that he does, indeed, bring sunshine through the storms.

When I reflected back on a week that I could only describe as awful, I could also see that God was in the midst of the storm in so many ways that I’m grateful for.  Seeing his character and his promises, and being blessed by those who reached out to let me know they cared.

Regardless of the physical, emotional or spiritual storm crashing in on your world, I pray that you would take some quiet moments to listen to God speaking to you.  May our hearts be open to his wisdom, especially in the days when we feel downtrodden.  May the promises in the closing scripture speak to you as they’ve ministered to me for years.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2