Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fresh Air


Fresh air. Just the sound of those words cause my lungs to expand. It brings to mind the rejuvenating air of spring, coming through my open windows, or the breeze that blows off the lake, carrying with it a light cooling mist in summer. It is a time of refreshing, a time of peace.

However, regardless of the above, it is in the clean air that follows a passing storm when I find it best; when the earth has been washed and the world around is at its greenest. The crash of the storm has stilled and the sun peaks through the clouds, taking what the storm has left and using it to make things grow. Rain plus sun equals life. Take away the rain and you suspend growth; take away the sun and rot sets in. Both elements are essential.

It is true with any storm in life. Though we pass through rough winds, hail that seeks to strikes us down, and the threat of destruction, when it is through, aren't our roots stronger, our leaves greener, and the air fresher for it? Is The Son peaking through? We are watered by trials and fed by The Son. Rain plus Son equals life. Take away the rain and you remove an opportunity to grow; take away The Son and the soul rots in the soaking waters of the storm. Both elements are essential.

Savor the fresh air that follows a storm, yet be thankful for the rain, knowing that it is during these times that The Son works best, bringing life, prompting you to grow.

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. ~ James 1:2-4


This entry is a part of the Christian Writer's Blog Chain for the topic "Fresh Air". Please take the time to visit the other sites listed to the right. We have had so many wonderful entries already, and there's many more to come! Thank you for stopping by!

God's blessings,

18 comments:

Jan Cline said...

Love this. It's true that we often want to wish away the rain. Thanks for the reminder that we need the balance.
Blessings
Jan
www.jancline.net

From Carols Quill said...

Oh, Sarah this is wonderful. The rain and The Son--perfectly said. Yes, we rot without Him! Beautiful.

Victor Travison said...

There are few things in this temporal world I love more than the scent of moisture in the air, especially after a thunderstorm. It assures me the storm was only temporary, and good things come with it. We can also apply this truism to our storms in life.

Great post.

~ VT

chris said...

I know that when it rains I certainly don't always "savor" like I know I should... but when the Son shines it always keeps me smiling, and singing "Lord I wish it would rain down on me!"

Great post Sarah!!

Sheila Hollinghead said...

Wow. Really good. Love this as much as I love the fresh air after a cleansing rain!

Wonderful post.

MGalloway said...

Nice! On a recent trip, we drove through a town in Canada that had a paper factory in it (or at least some kind of factory that made the air in the whole town stink). It was a nice town, maybe even nice enough to move to in the future, but that smoke smell just seemed to tarnish everything.

After some storms went through, however, I couldn't help but notice that odor in the air was completely gone. Oddly enough, I also noticed I was giving the town a second chance in my mind...

chris depew said...

Beautifully written. Thank you for that and thanks for being a part of the chain. God bless.

Tracy Krauss said...

It's hard to 'rejoice' during the storm, but as you said, these are usually our times of greatest growth and retrospect always brings that to light. On a different note, I love a good electrical storm. (I grew up on the prairies where we had some spectacular ones) and the refreshing air after a storm can not be duplicated. Thanks for the great post

Unknown said...

Sarah- Thank you for this beautiful post-It touched my heart deeply. It was words of comfort and encouragement, also confirmed things in my life. We've just come through a tremendous storm, our world was rocked, but it did not crush my spirit. Like you said, Rain plus Son equals life. The rain caused dependency on the Son and my life is in the most amazing place because of the storm.

Thank you-May God use the words of your heart to continually speak His love. Blessings!!!

E. G. Lewis said...

Wonderful post. Nietzsche was paraphrasing Paul when he said, "Whatever does not kill me, makes me stronger."
Peace and Blessings

Sarah said...

@Jan and Carol - Thank you so much for stopping by and for your wonderful comments!

@Victor - Exactly! I couldn't agree more! :)

@Chris - Not easy to "savor" those moments of trial. But important to remember that they are needed for growth. Right? :)

@Sheila - Thank you so much! :)

@MGalloway - I had to drive through a town with a paper mill each time I went to and from college. Horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE smell! I always wondered how people could live there. Amazing that a storm could wash that away!!

@Chris Depew - Thank you! And thanks for allowing to be a part of the chain. It has been a wonderful experience!

@Tracy - I bet you did have some amazing electrical storms on the prairie! Every once in awhile we get a real good one here. I love them, as long as the winds aren't taking my trees down at the same time. Lol! :) But as you said, the refreshing air that follows can not be duplicated!

@Terrie - I am so glad that you found encouragement in this - and that your storm is over. He is our life preserver in those times, isn't He? God bless you for staying strong and depending on Him to carry you through.

@E.G. - That is one of my favorite phrases! :) So true!

Thanks so much, everyone, for all the great comments! Blessings!!

Keith Wallis said...

There's something about that smell of 'life' just after a storm that is almost primeval. Fresh and newly washed - just as we are when we touch the King.

lynnmosher said...

Beautiful! Just wonderful, Sarah! I love...Rain plus Son equals Life! Bless you!

Traci B said...

Wonderful post, Sarah. It is so true; without the rain and the sun (and the Son), life ceases. Great contribution to the blog chain. :)

Sarah said...

Wonderfully put, Keith!

Thank you Lynn and Traci!! :)

I really appreciate everyone for taking the time to stop by and comment!

Blessings!!

Cindee Snider Re said...

Well, WOW, Sarah! LOVED this post, especially the lines, "Rain plus sun equals life. Take away the rain and you suspend growth; take away the sun and rot sets in. Both elements are essential." and "Rain plus Son equals life. Take away the rain and you remove an opportunity to grow; take away The Son and the soul rots in the soaking waters of the storm. Both elements are essential." Outstanding!

Adam Collings said...

Another creative application of the 'Fresh Air' theme. It is interesting because we had a lot of rain yesterday and now we're facing that calm afterwards, when the world is still wet - but there is a freshness.

I like the way you point out that we need both the Son and the storms. None of us like going through the storms, but as we begin to see them as instruments in God's hands to help us grow things start to look different. You have opened up James 1:2-4 in a new way for me.

Sarah said...

Thank you so much, Cindee! :)

"instruments in God's hands" - Yes! I love how you put that, Adam! It does help us look at things differently when we know that is exactly what they are. :)