I’ve heard the old cliché, “April showers bring May flowers,” for most of my life. I’m reasonably confident that’s a saying based on reality—and if it’s true, I expect an overabundance of colorful floral beauty.

 

Mississippi is experiencing a wild and wet April.  I’m not sure I can use too much hyperbole to describe how wet and wild it has truly been. The rain hasn’t come in gentle, peaceful showers to gradually water the ground. No, the rain has arrived with howling winds, thunderous rumbles and blinding displays of lightning.

 

And then there is an overabundance of tornadoes. This past Saturday evening, we had more tornado warnings than you could shake a proverbial stick at. There were tornado touchdowns all over northern Mississippi. At one point, we received messages and warnings one after another that a tornado was coming right at us. Who knew Paris, Mississippi, could be a tornado magnet?

 

Fortunately, nothing ever fully materialized in our neck of the woods. However, as I write this, I have friends who are putting up blue tarps, awaiting the restoration of electricity and considering the removal of many fallen trees.

 

April showers have been more about the power of April weather—and we are not even a third of the way through the month. Of course, I know Mississippi is not the only state facing storm drama and trauma.

 

I eagerly await the explosion of color that will eventually come. There is a blessing yet to be seen. However, even without stormy weather, many are facing storms of a different nature: a broken economy, disintegrating families, job losses, dying dreams, sickness and death.

 

Any single one can be devastating. Two or more simultaneously may feel like the end of the world.

 

It has been 20 years since Casting Crowns released their hit “Praise You in This Storm.” Even now, the lyrics continue to resonate:

 

“And I’ll praise you in this storm, and I will lift my hands. For you are who you are no matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried, you hold in Your hand. You never left my side, and though my heart is torn, I will praise you in this storm.”

 

Indeed. I’m reminded again of one of my favorite scripture passages:

 

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

May you find shelter in every storm.