It’s
storming. Well, I don’t know if I can call a mild to moderate rain a “storm”.
I’m trying to make a point here. We
haven’t had a truly sunny day in my area for weeks. I think we’re getting all
the rain meant for the dangerously dry west coast of the U.S. In any case, we’re overwhelmed with rain. The
forecast today is for actual thunderstorms.
What’s the
result? Good and bad. We’re inconvenienced when we need to travel anywhere. Also,
cloudy weather doesn’t promote healthy, positive thinking. On the other hand, our
grass, trees, and flowers have never been greener.
Such a
literal “rebirth” leads us to believe in figurative ones. If every plant can
grow bigger and brighter than expected, why can’t we? It’s a way to rekindle
our hope and belief.
Moving to New Levels
Many of us
fight to move beyond pessimism. This is my third article in a series on pushing
beyond natural, comfortable negativity.
In part
one, I suggested focusing on our thoughts. What we think is what we become.
We need to replace any pessimism with optimism.
In part
two, I advised patience, hope, and determination. Healing of any kind is
not an overnight process. In fact, some victories take decades to fulfill. In
the meantime, we can celebrate and believe for small victories.
In part
three, I will address how the inevitable tempests of life are usually necessary
to take us to new heights. We have to go
through the storm in order to see the rainbow, or the healthier plants. Likely,
we’ll find that most of what’s ahead of us will be better than what we left
behind—if we’re willing to work for it.
The Sound of Music
This iconic American
musical is based on the true story of Maria von Trapp. She was a lady who lived
in Austria in the decades prior to World War II. Maria planned to become a nun.
She was in training at a convent. The only problem was that she didn’t fit in
at all. Maria loved to talk and sing.
She was friendly and outgoing. The cloistered, quiet life of the convent was
restricting to her.
The Mother Superior
told Maria about a job opening for a local widower. A captain in the Austrian
navy, George von Trapp, needed a governess for his children. The nun in
training was reluctant. She felt completely unprepared for the huge task.
When Maria
arrived at her new home, she found unfamiliar duties and uncooperative children.
Her job was anything but easy. She was in the middle of a tempest.
Maria didn’t
give up. She and the children grew to
love each other. She and the captain got married. The young lady who had
trained to become a nun was really supposed to become a wife. Yet, she had to
go through the storm to identify her destiny.
But that’s
not all!!! Mrs. Von Trapp helped to lead the entire family to freedom from Nazi
oppression. What a legacy! To this day, the von Trapp family travels the world,
keeping the heritage of love and music alive
Daryl
This friend
was recently fired from his prestigious position. Frankly, he was never treated
right there. Obviously, a job loss is devastating for anyone. Daryl is fighting
hopelessness.
There is a
flip side to this story: numerous
friends and acquaintances are informing my friend about open positions. Any of
these jobs would offer much more prestige, appreciation, and money than his
last one.
My Conclusion
“When God
closes a door, He opens a window,” as the Mother Superior told Maria in the
movie.
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is
in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by
the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It
has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”—Jeremiah 17:7-8
(NIV)
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