We get a lot of wind here in Denver.  I haven’t talked to one person who likes it.  In fact, we’re all pretty vocal about it on days when it’s particularly strong. It messes up our hair and prevents us from doing things outside that we normally would. People avoid it at almost all costs and are so happy to come in from it if they are forced to go out into it.

It got me thinking about how the wind mimics life’s difficulties.  Those nasty things that come across our paths.  Circumstances or events or people who disrupt our routines and our lives.  Health issues, loss, relationship struggles, difficult work situations, financial woes, broken dreams, thwarted goals.  Things that, like the wind, could happen any  point.

When I walk out into the wind, what is my natural response?  I want to hide from it, run away from it until it passes.  I let it dictate what I do or don’t do because I don’t want to face it.

But what if I went out and leaned into it?  What if I literally ran into and towards it with everything in me, recognizing that the resistance is making me stronger? What if I didn’t let it keep me from doing what I headed out to do in the first place?

I can’t live my life in fear of the next wind storm, just like I can’t spend my days waiting for the next difficult situation to show its ugly face. But I can know that when unpleasant things graze my life and the wind is threatening me head on, I have another Wind at my back, helping me go into it face first.  I can recognize  that its intensity will be in proportion to the new found strength that will be attained as a result.

Does this recognition make me love the wind more?  No.  But it makes me hate it less.  Because I can see past just its disruption and see its purpose.  May I be “blown away” by what God does through the windy days of my life…

Isaiah 43:2 – When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Grandma, this one’s for you… 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN8oN8I3lrk&w=420&h=315]