"Praise Him in the Storm"

Once again it is Saturday and that means it is time for Auburn Football here in the south. We have our new game day shirts on, I made my corn dip and spinach dip with waterchestnuts and we headed off to the tailgate. It was so much fun! "Smokin Joe" had the grill fired up with 12 chickens, an incredible ham, hamburgers, spicy sausage sandwiches and he fried some catfish and biscuits. (We are serious about our tailgating here in the south.) We were right in the middle of the WAR EAGLE battle cries and lots of fun and fellowship when out of nowhere it came. The clouds thickened and we could feel the rain dropping. We played for a while longer, because after all little boys enjoy playing in the rain and mud. We huddled under tents and ate a little bit more. We found a quick open door in the weather, loaded the car and hurried away from the madness. We were just in time! The skies turned black and the bottom fell out! I was so glad we were home nice and dry. As I watched the game footage on ESPN2 I was amazed at the number of people who were so committed to Auburn Football that they were willing to stand in the rain, the lightning and the sweaty crowds just so they could cheer for their team and celebrate with their fellow fans. There is not much that can deter us from football celebrations. However, how often do we stay home from church or small group because we don't want to get out in "this" weather? (Spoken like a true preacher's wife, but follow me here.) How often do we cheer for our team (Jesus) or celebrate with our fellow fans (fellow believers) when we are facing the storms of life? Sometimes we can see it coming and other times the storms appear from nowhere, but instead of praising Him in spite of the storm or because of the storm, instead of uniting with our fellow fans, we run, we hide, we sulk, we complain. I want to praise Him in spite of the storm. I want to praise Him because of the storm.

I want to thank Him for the storms. Don't get me wrong, I know it's not easy, but the rewards are so much greater than standing in a torrential downpour, wet to the bone, lightning flashing around you just to watch your dearly beloved team choke! He promises eternal rewards, he promises completeness and maturity! Because of who He is and because of what He has done, I will cheer, I will celebrate and I will "Praise Him in the storm."

James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."