Why have I been given this peace? I'm remembering the last few years and I'm reminded of the storm. Such a terrible storm...there were times when I truly believed that I wouldn't make it through. The days were so cloudy. The sky was so grey. The nights were so dark. I didn't think the sun would ever rise again. My heart was so heavy. All I could give You were my tears. It took everything in me to wear a smile on my face. A smile...even though it felt like I was dying inside. I can't even count the times that I said, "How long will this last?" and "Please let my tears be enough!" The whole time I knew that You were making me stronger. Still, I just wanted to be delivered. When I complained of my anguish, You reminded me of the troubles of Job. And when my heart grew impatient, You reminded me that it took Moses 40 years to make it to the promised land. You did give me rest in the eye of the storm when I needed it the most. But You also let me know that it wasn't over yet. The storm lasted so long that I became accustomed to the conditions. I thought it would always be my life. I thought surely You had left me. But then the sun started to shine...the winds gently blew...the clouds disappeared. And I was like...where's the trouble? Where's the pain? But I didn't really want to know...My prayers had been answered.
Help me to just enjoy this calm. Please let me not focus on when the next storm will come. Thank you for my trouble! And thank you for my tears! Now I know...they were enough.
