Storms are becoming the norm. For days the heat is locked in place by high humidity. Breathing can be difficult for those with respiratory problems, and the sun’s rays can be so fierce that the skin needs the protection of sunscreen by late morning and throughout the afternoon. The nights are steamy and offer no respite from the heat. Air conditioners hum continuously, and where they do not exist, fans whir unceasingly. Windows remain open to cool but only usher in humidity and summer insects. During nature’s turmoil, television screens flash alert warnings which interrupt movies, favorite programs, and dark news reports. Days and nights are episodes of torrential rain. Water pours from the sky. Creeks and rivers overflow and too often flash floods demand that people escape to higher ground. In urban areas, sewage systems cannot handle the amount of rain, and mini rivers are created in street intersections. Vehicles that dare to drive through the flooded areas become trapped in the water and are damaged; in worse case scenarios, life can be lost. Everywhere there is disruption caused by storms that are becoming the norm.
These recurring storms seem to be physical metaphors of our problems. Within our psyches, storms also rage. Schools reopen and there is concern about the safety of students and teachers. Unemployment, though lessening, is still a problem as is the economy. War rages abroad and we view it live on the news. Areas of the country where hurricane are rare, prepare for a strike by such a storm. The coronavirus is still in the forefront of our attention. Masks are back and hospitals are again filling up as the Delta variant courses through our nation as well as the globe. Storms rage outside of us and inside of us. We are frightened, angry, and generally fed-up with storms.
But opportunity knocks! We have an occasion to talk with God. Yes, this is a marvelous chance to have a little talk with God. In the best of times, we see little need and in the worst of times, we revile the Creator for our problems, or we deny the Divine existence, or we are prone to pray that things change. So, whatever our state of mind, let’s give at least fifteen minutes daily to time with God. Fifteen minutes in active conversation and listening to God. Let’s talk silently, aloud, in written form or we may sketch our prayer—15 minutes to tell God all about our troubles. No theological dissertations, just plain conversation. In this time allotted to God, let us give 5 or so minutes after our talk to LISTEN to God. Just be quiet and attentive; God knows how to reach us. God just might bring to heart and mind things we can do for our neighbors, family, friends, and strangers to ease the burden of their storms. Complaint does nothing but add more noise to the surrounding storms. Divine guidance gives us purpose during the tempests as we wait them out. These times of rainstorms are opportunities for prayer and guidance. Fifteen minutes to share our concerns with God and to listen for God’s guidance to us. We can kneel, sit, assume whatever posture works for us individually. Just talk and then listen to God (the manner that God shows up for each of us will differ).
Reflections
Hymn
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. *
Write or record a letter to Jesus about the storms within and without your life.
*Elisha A. Hoffman. I Must Tell Jesus. Lift Every Voice and Sing II: An African-American Hymnal. New York: The Church Hymnal Corporation, 1993.
Dorothy Watson Tatem, D. Min., ACC
Senior Associates
Next Step Associates, LLC
Cassandra W. Jones, Ed.D.
CEO & President
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