The Sun Shines Beneath | Thoughts on Stormy Seasons

While traveling for Epiphany:Visio a couple of years ago I found myself on a few flights during the worst cold season on the East Coast in years. As a result I had the privilege of flying through several storms. It was the best! ... said no one ever.

During one particularly gloomy, but calm, flight I watched as the plane rose up out of the clouds. Suddenly it was sunny and bright and the turbulence calmed. All the stress of flying by standby faded. The sun and smooth flying led me to calm the storm brewing inside me. I ended up drawing the following illustration during that flight.

The missed flights, the tense moments waiting to see if we'd make it on this flight, the weather delays and cancellations all swirled up inside me. They created an internal chaos that mimicked the weather outside. Then, when I took a moment to stop and breathe and notice the sun outside my window, it clicked: I got caught in my circumstances, but the reality of the sun shining down on the earth hadn't changed. The clouds made it difficult to see it's brightness or feel its warmth, but nonetheless it was still there as it had always been.

More and more I experience Jesus like this in my life. I get panicked or anxious; fear questions my choices or path -- but the reality of what God is doing in my life hasn't changed. God is still good; God is still present. God is still with me. And often it takes a few moments of space, calm, and deep breathing to remember these clouds too will pass.