A friend recently posted on her social media that she remembers sitting on the front porch with her dad watching the storms come in. I remember doing that, too, with my grandpa. Sitting through the storms with someone you love makes you feel safe, makes you feel connected. It makes you feel loved.
Mental health is a big problem across the globe. Even more so in the last three to four years. According to Medical Health America, 19.86% of adults in the US are suffering from mental illness. Almost 20%!! –That’s mind blowing, isn’t it? So many people are struggling.
Is there someone in your life with whom you need to sit? Is there someone who is going through a storm who just needs to feel safe and loved? Take the time to connect with them. Be that person who will sit with them on the front porch and watch the storm come through.
It seems nobody has time for anybody these days. We move from one activity to the next. We’re all so busy and operating in ‘reactive’ modes. It feels like we are scrolling through life sometimes. Let’s slow down. Let’s take time to really connect with each other.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Action Steps
Read that verse again. That verse is a promise, one we all need to practice. Go to God in prayer for everything. Get to really know the God of Scripture and the key word here is ‘thanksgiving’. Be thankful for everything and anxious about nothing. The ‘peace of God’ sounds like someone sitting next to you during a storm doesn’t it? Let’s pray for those going through storms.
Be that friend who lets the housework go when someone is feeling low and needs a shoulder to cry on. Don’t know what to say? That’s ok. Just sit in silence. Just being together is enough. Let God do the talking. Just listen.
Sitting through the storms with others is the best thing we can do. The thing about storms is that they don’t last long. They roll in and then they roll out. But there will always be another one. We can’t ever go without storms because they bring the needed rainfall that helps with growth in life. But we can be there for each other to comfort and help each other to feel safe through them. We can love them.
Making connections with your family and friends takes effort. Reach out and be intentional about your relationships. Make an extra effort to reach those who are lonely or suffering with their health.
Schedule some time on your calendar. Put it in your planner. Be a blessing to others.
I have never been a fan of storms. But I have felt safe and loved my whole life. I’m thankful for sitting through the storms on the porch with my grandpa. I’m grateful that he made time for me.
I appreciate you. God bless.–Barb