The Storms in Our Lives

We’ve all experienced some major storms in our lives or have been close to someone who has.

Storms such as:

You’ve lost your job, you’ve become estranged from a sibling, your spouse wants to call it quits, you’ve been given a life-changing or life-threatening medical diagnosis, or your son or daughter announces a lifestyle change you can’t come to grips with.

What can help you deal with this is contained in the three virtues. Faith, the belief, confidence, and trust in God. Hope, the optimistic attitude of mind based on an expectation of positive outcomes. And, love, kindness and compassion that facilitates interpersonal relationships. Of these three, love is central to each of these storms. It is the bond of love that even makes these situations storms in the first place.

During one of these life storms, imagine that you are in a row boat on a lake when the storm comes up. Will you be better off with one oar or both oars in the water? Well, both oars of course. These oars are faith and hope. Facing one of life’s storms with only one oar in the water is a recipe for simply going around in circles. If one oar is Faith but without the expectation for a positive outcome, circles are the best you can hope for. Also, it is the same if you have Hope but without a real trust in God, you’re circling again.

To paraphrase Isaiah; he wrote that God will carry you through every storm and give you the strength to make it. So, I’m asking God, not to make my life easier, but for Him to give me the strength to face my troubles.

We all have our storms so let’s pray together. Dear God, we bring You our burdens. You know our situation and You know we can’t make it without You. Comfort our heart, give us strength and help us carry on.

World’s Greatest Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, Sister, Brother . . . . .

When you’re not sure how you are affecting the lives of those you love and who love you, remember this dialog between grandchild and grandparent.

Grandpa: “How do think I am doing as a grandpa? I know haven’t had a chance to take you to a baseball game yet this summer.”

Grandchild: “Well, when I was at your house last weekend, you made me French toast. And, all the while I was there, you laughed at my knock, knock, jokes. And, when we went for a burger, you let me swap onion rings for the French fries. And, you let me sit on your shoulders so I could see over the neighbor’s fence. Most important, remember, I got you that mug that World’s Greatest Grandpa Mug. And you know what Grandpa? Mugs don’t lie!”

Update
The next infusion is being switched from next Monday to next Wednesday (July 1). I’m going with my three sisters (Jane, Colleen and Juleen) and brother (Patrick) to Camp Brosius for a long weekend and to accommodate the trip, the infusion will be two days later than scheduled. So, I won’t write this weekend. I’ll be too busy keeping my sisters from ganging up on Patrick.

I’ve missed some infusions for other medical reasons and I can say that concerns me. But, in keeping with all that I’ve been writing, my faith tells me that no matter what lies ahead of me, God is already there.

Stay strong! Keep on keeping on!

3 thoughts on “The Storms in Our Lives”

  1. Thank you for your blog. Your faith is inspiring! Please know you are in my prayers.

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