Storm Stories

Last week powerful storms came through the Chicagoland area…strong winds, loud rumblings of thunder and majestic flashes of lightning! At home I listened to the storm, the rushing wind and loud cracks of thunder. I watched my whole backyard light up from the frequent bolts of lightning. Storms can be frightening to all of us, but especially to our children. Storms also can be inspiring.

Thunder…And Popcorn!
When the kids were small and we would have a regular thunderstorm, I started the habit of going out on the front porch. Our front porch was long and wide with a couple of chairs and a table. I would cuddle them in my lap and we would count the seconds between the lightning strike and the sound of the thunder. It was a habit my father had taught me to determine how close the storm is, because each second calculated as a mile.

The front yard and the other houses in the neighborhood would light up, we’d start counting, and we’d sit quietly awaiting the clap of thunder. Lightning and thunder became sights and sounds to celebrate. And the best part was that I would always pop popcorn! What might have been a time of great fear became a time to get close, celebrate and eat popcorn! Our venture to the porch always ended with the refreshing smell that penetrates the senses after the rain…and an empty bowl of popcorn! And still today, when we hear a thunderstorm approaching, we crave popcorn!

Weathering the Storm
Sometimes we feel that our lives are in the midst of a storm. The winds of change have affected us with rumblings of doubt in the future. These storms can either paralyze us with fear or inspire us with hope. Similarly to counting the seconds between the lightning and thunder, we can be inspired when we count the blessings in our lives.

“The Weather Channel” has a series called “Storm Stories” that shows the affects of powerful storms around the world. Every successful entrepreneur I’ve ever met, heard speak, or read about has their own “storm story,” a story of overcoming obstacles and climbing the ladder of success. Their “storms” become our inspiration. Behind every successful Signature HomeStyles achiever there is a “‘storm story,” a story of challenges overcome with positive actions and perseverance.

Just as God created the awe of a thunderstorm, He has given us the power to adapt to change, take action and create our own future. After all, it takes the sunshine and the rain to make a rainbow!