THE GIFT OF BEING THUNDERSTRUCK
Wonder and confusion; life-changing; guiding us down a new path; blessing our lives in some amazing new ways……. being spiritually thunderstruck!
I have had several “thunderstruck” moments in life, but the first one I recall is getting married which to be sure is life-changing and creates a new life journey for everyone. However, my experience involved leaving my family (parents, grandparents and 3 younger brothers), my friends, my hometown and familiar surroundings, and relocating 3,000 miles across the country (via airplane…I had never been on one!) to unfamiliar surroundings with the intent of starting a new life with a man I had only known for a few months. I knew I would not be back anytime soon for even a visit.
Marriage to Dennis was what I wanted, but I had so many doubts about leaving my family to move to California! What was the “right” thing to do? I was hesitant, apprehensive, unsure, reluctant and there was NO lightning bolt or thunderous message from God to guide me! Only that still small voice….that niggling, nagging sensation (that I now know to pay attention to) kept surfacing and prodding me forward into the unknown. We will celebrate 56 years of marriage next month. I am grateful to God for being blessed in so many ways as my life has unfolded with Dennis.
Prayer: Dear God, keep us “tuned in” to your guidance. Remind us to be aware of thunderstruck moments that will change our lives and to know that you are an ever-present source of courage and strength revealed to us as that still, small voice prodding and pushing our often reluctant selves towards new experiences. Amen
Leigh Andersen