Emily's Joy

Sixteen-year-old granddaughter Emily and her family live near the Gulf Coast and have been pounded with rains and winds. Thankfully, they are safe! Yesterday she posted these words on her Facebook:  

Joy (noun)- Dancing and spinning and giggling like a three-year old in the middle of a hurricane, barefoot and sopping wet, with rain pouring down and floodwater up to the scar in the middle of your shin, while your brother and sister are splashing and running and jumping and laughing around you... and realizing you haven't smiled this widely and this long in days. :) ♥

And as I smiled, I thought:  I think there is a sermon or song or two, an analogy, a lesson in those lines!

I think the song has already been written!  Thanks, Deron, for bringing it to my attention again this week:
   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

Em's definition is a wonderful symbolic picture of dancing in the rain . . . in the storms of life.  And we all have them in varying sizes,
intensities and durations.

I'm reminded that:
 a "dancing-in-the-middle-of-a-hurricane" attitude is a choice
you have to risk getting wet

some will shake their heads at your attitude and actions

having a family "celebrate" with you always helps

you may be reminded of previous storms as the water sloshes 

around your "scars"

"scars are a sign of healing"

feelings of joy run deep and don't depend on weather forecasts and surrounding floodwaters

joy splashes onto others

I also know that I must not be critical of those who have not yet been able to "praise You in this storm."  I'm certainly not the poster child for this kind of faith, but I'm leaning and learning!

I'm thankful that "I know the Master of the winds.  I know the Maker of the rain." And by way, Em knows Him, too - in a very real way!

In spite of anything and everything swirling around me,
I know that He is in control.

And that's where my joy comes from!

Thanks, Emily, for a priceless reminder!