Living Through Life’s Hurricane

In our early 20s, my husband was playing professional baseball, and we lived in Florida. We didn’t really understand the anatomy of a hurricane back then. All I knew was that when the storm came, we boarded up, braced ourselves, and listened through the night as debris slammed into our door.

Then, suddenly, everything shifted. We stepped outside, and it was so still. We were standing in the eye. I remember looking up and seeing the beauty above us, the calm sky framed by walls of clouds. But even in that pause, I knew it wasn’t over. The second half of the storm was still coming, and we had to stay protected.

That experience planted a picture in my mind of how life works. Sometimes one storm band passes and you think, maybe this won’t be so bad. But then another wave comes, and another, and the winds just keep picking up. That’s when you get weary. That’s when you realize, I cannot do this on my own. I need help.

The Front Side of the Storm – My 30s and 40s

In my 30s, the storms of life began to pick up force. I faced the deep grief of losing family members, financial struggles that shook our foundation, and a breast cancer diagnosis that tested me in every way. On top of those storms, there were job changes—both for me and for my husband—that brought their own uncertainty and stress. The winds of change often felt relentless, pushing us out of comfort zones and into new seasons we didn’t always feel ready for.

Then came my 40s. This season brought a different kind of storm. I found myself sending my boys off to college—both proud and heartbroken at the same time. Parenthood is one of life’s greatest blessings, but it’s also filled with challenges you can’t prepare for until you’re walking through them. Every stage requires learning something new, trusting God with your children, and letting go a little more each time.

Once again, the balancing act was constant—marriage, parenthood, finances, work, job transitions, and friendships—all the pieces of true life pressing in at once. Some days, the storm wasn’t a crashing wave but a steady wind that never seemed to let up.

It was in these years that Jeremiah 29:11–14 became my anchor:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.

Through it all, my prayers shifted. Instead of only asking God to stop the storm, I began to pray:

“Lord, what are You trying to teach me in this season? What do You want me to learn through this storm?”

Those years of pounding winds taught me to lean into God’s presence, trust His plans, and keep seeking Him, even when I felt worn out.

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The Eye of the Storm – My 50s

Now in my 50s, I feel like I’ve stepped into the eye of the storm. If you’ve ever seen a hurricane from above, the eye is breathtaking. The winds pause, the clouds part, and for a moment you see the sky again. The air is calmer, and you can take a deep breath.

That’s where I am right now. I’m learning to rest. I’m looking around, seeing the beauty in life, and thanking God for His goodness. I know the backside of the storm is still coming, because trouble always comes in this world, but for now I’m soaking in the peace of this pause.

Isaiah 26:3 reminds me of this calm:

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

And Psalm 34:8 puts words to my gratitude:

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Preparing for the Backside

The backside of the storm will arrive eventually. Storms don’t disappear when you’re in the eye—they simply give you a pause. I don’t say this because I’m being negative or pessimistic, or because I’m sitting here just waiting for the next storm. I say it because it’s the truth of life in a fallen world. Jesus Himself told us that trouble will come:

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

That doesn’t fill me with fear—it fills me with hope. Because the storms of my 30s and 40s taught me something I didn’t know before: how to live differently in the midst of trials. The front side of the storm taught me how to cling to God, how to pray, how to trust, and how to find joy in the middle of chaos.

Yes, there is always spiritual warfare. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly. I believe that through the first part of the storm, God has shown me how to live with that abundant joy.

So when the backside of the storm comes, it won’t look the same as it did before. The winds may still be strong, but I’ve learned to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). I’ve learned to anchor myself in His truth and keep growing, even when the rain pours down.

The storms no longer stop my growth—they shape it. They deepen my roots, strengthen my faith, and remind me that no matter how fierce the storm, my God is greater.

Romans 5:3–4 says it perfectly:

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

So I don’t live in dread of the backside of the storm. I live in readiness, with the peace of knowing that whatever comes, I have a Savior who is my shelter, my joy, and my abundant life.

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Reflection & Journaling

Take a few moments to reflect on your own storms and how God has met you in them. You may even want to journal your thoughts:

• What “front side storms” have you faced in your life? How did they shape you?
• Can you identify a season where you were in the “eye of the storm”—able to pause, breathe, and see God’s beauty in the calm?
• How do you view the “backside storms” that may come? Are you fearful, or are you learning to live prepared with hope?
• What Scriptures or promises of God anchor you when life’s winds begin to blow?

Write a Letter to God

As part of your journaling, write a letter to God. Be honest. Share with Him what storm you’re in—or what storm you fear might come. Thank Him for how He has carried you through the past, and invite Him to continue shaping you into someone who grows, not just survives, when the storms of life roll in.

Let’s Close in Prayer 

Father,

Thank You that You are my refuge and strength, my ever-present help in times of trouble. Thank You for the storms You have already carried me through and for the lessons I’ve learned in the wind and rain. Lord, help me not to fear what is ahead, but to live prepared, anchored in Your Word, and filled with Your peace.

When the enemy tries to steal my joy, remind me of the abundant life You have promised me through Jesus. Teach me to be still and know that You are God, even in the fiercest winds. Grow me deeper, root me stronger, and let my life reflect the hope that can only be found in You.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Rub Dirt on It

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

— John 16:33 (NIV)

“Rub dirt on it.” If you’ve ever been around baseball, you’ve heard that phrase. My husband played college and professional baseball when we were dating and first married, and now all three of our boys have played college ball. Needless to say, that phrase has been spoken in our household more times than I can count.

At first, I’ll admit—I had to learn to embrace it. Growing up, I was the baby of the family, the only girl with a brother and all boy cousins. I wasn’t exactly raised to be the toughest one in the room. But life has a way of teaching you toughness, doesn’t it? And for me, raising three boys was God’s way of saying, “Wait a minute—you’re going to need to learn how to rub dirt on it.”

But I’ve also learned that “rub dirt on it” isn’t just about being tough—it’s about getting back up, keeping your head in the game, and not letting life knock you out completely. It’s about being present in the game of life, even when it hurts.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (NIV)

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Life Isn’t Easy

I’ve lived long enough to know that life is not easy. I’m a wife of 33 years to my college sweetheart, a mom of three sons (28, 25, and 20), a breast cancer survivor, and someone who has faced financial struggles and buried multiple family members I loved dearly. Life hurts. Sometimes it knocks the wind out of you.

Through those tough times, I cried a lot. There were even moments I yelled at God, asking Him where He was. But looking back, I realize those seasons taught me that He was right there. Always. Those times shaped me, stretched me, and taught me to trust Him.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took time. But the more I walked through the pain with God, the more I got to know Him and see how He works. Nothing we go through is meaningless—He uses it.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

— Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Finding Clarity

One of the ways I’ve learned to process the chaos in my head is by writing letters to God. Have you ever tried that? To just sit down and tell Him exactly how you feel? He already knows, but something happens when you pour it out on paper. Writing helps me make sense of what’s going on in my mind. It brings clarity.

Prayer and staying in God’s Word also bring clarity. But I’ve learned that I can’t do that alone—I need accountability. That’s why I intentionally put myself in Bible studies.

And let me tell you—don’t sit back and wait for someone to invite you in. People aren’t ignoring you. They’re just busy surviving this broken world too. They may not think to ask, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want you there. First, pray about it—God wants you to find a group to dig into His Word with. Then, take the step. Look at your church’s website. Search online. The groups are out there. And when you’re ready, don’t be shy—say you’re interested. You might be surprised what God can do when you tell Him you’re ready.

Bible study groups have also given me prayer warriors—people who will walk this life with me, lift me up when I’m weary, and remind me of truth when I forget it. Don’t do this life alone. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to find your people—this is it.

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

— Matthew 18:20 (NIV)

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Your Turn to Rub Dirt on It

Now it’s your turn. Grab a pen and a piece of paper and write a letter to God. Lay it all out—your fears, your hurts, your questions, even your anger. Tell Him exactly what’s going on in your life. Ask for His help. Tell Him you want to “rub dirt on it,” but be honest if you don’t know what that looks like in your life right now.

This is your invitation to take the first step toward getting back up. God is already there, waiting for you to open your heart. He will give you the strength, clarity, and courage to move forward, one step at a time.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

— 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Don’t wait. Start writing. Start praying. And let Him guide your next inning.