“There’s a storm coming.” These are the last words spoken to a young and very pregnant Sarah Connor at the end of the 1984 movie classic, The Terminator. As she gazes off at the Mexican horizon, she simply and somberly responds “I know.” Then our heroine replaces her sunglasses, starts her Jeep, and drives off in the direction of the growing tempest as the music ominously builds and the credits begin to roll.
Have you ever experienced those stormy moments? The ones you can feel building for weeks or months ahead of time? As far as I can tell there are two different kinds of trouble in life: the kind you can avoid and the kind you can’t. In the case of the latter there’s no sense in hiding from it. So just do your best Boy Scout impression and be prepared to meet it head on, because it’ll be here soon enough and, one way or another, you will have to deal with it.
I have one of those stormy moments approaching in my life. In a few months, my wife, Traci, and I will experience the departure of all three children for college. Now you might think that my storm is related to the family finances, but you’d be wrong. Like most American families, we’ve been in debt before, so that’s nothing new. Instead, our storm will be a quiet enemy: the sudden and less obvious emptiness of the house. The daily ring of laughter and music and arguing and homework and family meals will disappear as a strange new chapter unfolds for us. No kids. After 20 years together, what’s that going to look like?
Traci jokes with me that I’m just afraid to be alone with her. In reality, I’m eager for that part of the change. But it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to our children . . . three of my best friends who give me so much joy. On one hand I’m proud of them as they develop into independent adults and forge their own futures. On the other hand, a selfish one, I am going to miss them terribly.
”So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” - Matthew 6:34
These words of wisdom from Jesus are a comfort in these storms. I’m sure they rang true for Him also and for His followers in the days surrounding His crucifixion. Jesus knew His destiny and He made no secret of it to His disciples. Yet I’m sure it was still heart-wrenching to sense the inevitability of it all. Saying goodbye to family and friends is never easy, even for the Son of God. He was one of us and he felt the same emotions and attachments that we do. But if we invest our time and energy solely in premature worry, then we fail to enjoy the blessings of today and we fail to do the good work of the kingdom that God has set before us. And that is more tragic than any goodbye. Life is full of storms, but let’s not forget the renewal our world experiences after a day of rain. This life was never promised to be dry and sunny every day, so remember and appreciate the hope inspired by each rainbow in the aftermath of every downpour. That’s what Easter represents, too. Hope springs forth from even the darkest of days. So don’t waste your time and energy in hiding. But rather meet God in the eye of your storms and you will find the truth: that love reigns eternal and we are not forsaken. As that realization dawns on you, look to your stormy horizon without worry and greet tomorrow with a smile and a hearty “I know.”
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