THE GIFT OF BEING THUNDERSTRUCK
As I sit here at my desk Sunday afternoon listening to the storm raging outside, it seems a fitting setting for writing about the storms of life and being “thunderstruck”. I can’t say that I’ve personally experienced having that “sudden flash” of insight—that “aha!” moment. My insights usually come from being backed into a corner, wrestling with finding a “way out”, and finally asking God for help. The comforting and uplifting thing is, that God has always come through for me!
To illustrate: my path to getting sober was Thanksgiving 1992. Dan and I had been struggling in our marriage, exacerbated of course by our heavy drinking. We had a very ugly fight on the way home from dinner which, to our chagrin, our young son witnessed. I had a sleepless night of remorse, self-examination, desperation, fear, anxiety, and finally, prayer and resolution. I knew what I needed to do; did I have the “backbone” to follow it through? One thing I knew for sure: I could not hesitate. The next morning I asked for a family meeting. I told my husband and son I had decided to stop drinking, and asked them for their help. Thirty-two years later, I still thank God for leading me to that decision, once I finally asked for help, and was ready to receive the message.
“Weathering the storms of life” is akin to navigating rapids on the river: finding your way around obstacles means the ride will be bumpy and you’ll probably get wet; but if your guide is competent, you will ride the waves successfully. The river is my “go-to” place.
Prayer: Thank you, God, for your never-ending love. Please be my “river guide” on my journey of life; and keep the throw rope handy, ‘cuz I need frequent rescuing!
Ellen Patterson