Through Another Storm

Photos by Karen Langlois

Stormy seas near our home today. I love to walk near the shore, keeping well out of the way of the crashing waves, just smelling the salty breath of the angry sea. But I would not want to be out in a boat or travelling in these conditions.

It amazes me that the very same powerful blasts of gale-force winds provide an opportunity of a different kind to our local seabirds. They see these conditions as an occasion to celebrate! Soaring up into the grey sky, undeterred by the spray and spume, they frolic and play in the blasts of frosty air, gliding almost perfectly still at times.

The same storm that brings chaos and threatens life and safety to us provides these majestic creatures a reason to soar and rejoice. They know that when the storm does subside there will be new riches of food amongst the detritus thrown up by the maelstrom. Meanwhile the very winds that tear at our faces offer them the chance to get a bit of gliding practice in, like kids in white jeans and T-shirts arriving at their local skate park. 

Storms give us opportunities too. Tough times that make us afraid, cause us to stagger in our faith or confidence, may not seem like opportunities, but they can be. We can learn new skills in storms that can never be ours in millpond calm. Calling on God for His help becomes natural when the wind howls and we fear going under. Experiences of 'coming through' severe trials can change us, equip us, grow us. As St Paul writes, 'we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope' (Romans 5:3-4).

And there is food - spiritual nourishment - in what is left following a storm. Nutrients found normally at enormous depth are cast up on the shore of our souls by the surging seas of what we go through in life. I write about these in my book Through the Storms. Maybe they are some of the 'riches stored in secret places' spoken about in Isaiah 45:3. In any case, the great thing about storms is that they do pass, and better days lie ahead.