Approaching Storms

This morning there was a beautiful sunrise. As I walked up the hill to catch a better view, I appreciated the cool breeze. There were still lots of clouds in the sky because of the huge storms last night. It was such a relief after days of stifling heat. It felt so good to walk with the wind in my face and see the sun just coming over the horizon and all the clouds turning a beautiful pink then orange and finally into blue.

That is one of the things I really appreciate about this new home, the opportunity to enjoy the sunsets and sunrises. There is a hill I like to stand on and watch the changing sunlight as it slowly rises in the morning and then sinks beyond the horizon in the evening. I can see for miles and watch as the sun moves across the sky and the buildings downtown catch the light and throw it back making the city glow.

When I can see for miles it is easier to understand how the whole planet fits together and how I’m part of an immense system of laws and patterns of nature. Even though I don’t know all the details of how atoms move and exactly how rain is formed, I appreciate that it happens time and time again and that somehow I fit into all this.

In an area where there are often tornados, being able to stand on a hill and see so far into the distance is a great advantage. You can see the storms taking shape long before they reach you. There is time to prepare or seek shelter. 

I don’t like being caught by surprise. Especially something unpleasant that if I could have prepared for, it would have lessened the painful results.

Sometimes I wish I could see the approaching storms in my life. That I could be prepared and lessen the pain. I wish there were a hill tall enough that I could see everything before it happened.

There are things that I can anticipate and prepare for. I can predict ice storms in January and today cut down the tree that is hanging over my house before it has a chance to do expensive damage.

I can look over the horizon and see that my 11-year-old car is going to need a replacement someday and today start setting money aside.

Beyond the storms, I can also see that there will be sunshine. So I can plant the tulips and daffodils in October to enjoy in March. 

But can I really anticipate and prepare for every storm? 

There will be storms that I will not see coming, but I can still be prepared for them if today I appreciate what is. Today I can love all those around me. I can express how much they mean to me. I can repent quickly and forgive quickly. Live today with no regrets. 

Enjoy the beauty that is here, right now, today.