The storm

There is nothing quite like a big storm in the high mountains. The clouds come so low that you can no longer see even the nearest peaks and summits, but are instead amongst the clouds themselves. The rain hammers down in fat drops and there is no such thing as a warm summer rain up here. Instead, it is always a cold invigorating blast from above. The lightening is so close you could almost reach out and touch the great sky fire. Then there is the thunder. Great claps and booms so loud you feel as though the sky itself is cracking and fracturing around you. 

It was during a recent such storm that I found myself sitting on my porch and marveling at nature’s fury. I thought of all the tourists who were undoubtedly annoyed by the weather and wondering what happened to their blue skies and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. It dawned on me that if someone were to come up here at this very moment and had never been to my home before they would likely have no idea of the splendor around them. This magnificent place would seem nothing but a gray, wet, and cold land. Were they to take the time to truly get to know these mountains, they would come to realize what a wild garden it truly is. 

So often we hear how we should not judge a book by its cover, but it happens nevertheless. A desert is thought to be barren and desolate though it has beautiful colors, amazing sunsets, and life swirls about it. A seemingly old man turns out to be a master craftsman using skills acquired over a lifetime. What many would call a hideous spider weaves the most intricate and beautiful web. A small bony child grows to be a star at track and field. 

Here in my mountains a wild storm rages, driving people to shelter, but brings the heavens so close we can almost reach out and touch God’s face. The storm, child, spider, old man, and desert are not ugly or weak or evil. They are strong, beautiful, and inspiring. How different would this world be if someone did not see the beauty and potential in all things around them? How many children would have never accomplished such amazing feats had not someone believed in them? How different would my own life had turned out had I listened to every person who told me I couldn’t because of my eyes? 

The storm should not frighten or anger us. Instead, we should be inspired by the rain, lightening, and thunder and let the storm within us rage and drive us whenever our souls need a little stirring and wild passion. The more the storm raged around me, the deeper my thoughts took me. No longer content sitting under cover, I left the shelter of my porch and walked into elements. I felt the rain hitting my face, I heard the thunder booming around me, and I sensed the bright flash of the lightening so close my hair stood on end. Such exhilaration! There was nothing in that moment I was not capable of! I wanted to shout and roar so that all would join me and feel the wild power that the mountains were begging to bestow on us. 

After a few minutes I stepped back under my porch, dripping wet. Though I love the sapphire skies and the peaks around me when in full view, I do not believe I had ever seen such a beautiful day such as that one. The storm is not concealing the beauty; it is a part of the beauty. Let your storm rage both within and without every once in a while so that your spirit may be refreshed.