Storm's a Coming,?

It’s been quite a summer for weather so far! Having lived in Alberta for only a year and a half, we’re still unaccustomed to the violent and sudden storms that happen so often here. Where we lived before, storms would move in off of the ocean and slowly but surely cover the valley like a thick blanket. Often staying for days on end. Storms on the south coast rarely had lightning or hail as part of the bargain. Usually it was rain, cloud and darkness. Here, storms are lively mixtures of lightning thunder, rain and often destroyer hail. But this you already know.

What we also know is that with the storms comes moisture for field and crop. Not everyone suffers when the storm hits, after all. More than most have a benefit and somehow even those beaten up survive and see recovery. And it’s not like some people are hit harder than others for any particular reason. After all Jesus once said that the rain falls on everyone regardless of their life direction or faith convictions. I expect he was and still is trying to explain something to us.

I sometimes imagine people as storms that can blow uninvited into an otherwise calm life. They’re just a thunder cloud waiting to happen, they sneak up on us and blast away with whatever the issue is. Others are more like a gentle rain, but hang like a wet blanket. Of course that’s one point of view.

Another is that regardless of which, it isn’t the people or their actions that come into our life that make life good or bad. It’s how we receive them, right? Sometimes we need the storm. It gets our attention and calls us to action. The random shootings that happen more and more often are a signal call: there is something wrong with our culture, economic policies and goals. Sometimes the storm is a reminder that hurting people hurt others and what they need most of all is a listening ear.

Sometimes we need the ‘dreary rain’ of paying attention to those so often judged as not being ambitious or smart enough by current standards. How many powerless, lonely people are just craving a friend? It seems that weather has a way of stopping is in our tracks; every storm front is an opportunity to re-evaluate. Where is my life taking me? Who is along on the journey with me? What in my life has actual value?

The band Queen wrote a song about this; it’s called “Limited Company.” It’s on the Night at The Opera album. The song is a story told by a man who in young age was advised by his father to "take care of those you call your own, and keep good company". In his younger years, he follows his father's advice, keeping his friends and marrying a girl named Sally. However, after their marriage, he begins to lose interest in his friends, who gradually disappear. As he grows older, he becomes increasingly skilled at and dedicated to his occupation, working long nights and neglecting his family.

Eventually, the man's efforts are “rewarded,” the lyrics go:

“All through the years in the end it appears
There was never really anyone but me
Now I'm old I puff my pipe but no one's there to see
I ponder on the lesson of my life's insanity
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company”

It seems to me that all we really have in life that has real value is people. Family, friends and random strangers that appear if only to help us see the truth: love one another.