standing in the storm.

Today I think God is reminding me that I can stand in the storm-- but there are blue skies ahead. I was sitting in my living room as it got darker and the storm rolled in.... I thought I want to go sit in the rain--- that's just how I am feeling. As I sat on my porch barefoot- wearing capris and a sweatshirt-- It's not pouring - just raining steady small drops. I hear the wind-- it reminds me that God's there (don't know why- but wind has always reminded me of that). As my feet are getting wet and I am getting colder- but finding calmness in the wind- I look over to my left and see nothing but blue skies. It was like God was reminding me that while I am standing in this storm right now-- he has great things in store. That's just what I needed to hear today when I was feeling very discouraged and fearful about the future.

I read this awesome excerpt from a book today. The part is called the Invitation and it just spoke to the honesty and authenticity I am searching for in life. The parts in bold are the ones that spoke the loudest to me in my place right now. I hope it challenges you and speaks to you as it did to me.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain. (this one really challenged me)

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to
be careful
be realistic
remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.