Can I Get a Break?!!

Can I get a break?!!

If you have ever voiced that thought or said it to yourself, then you are aware that life can, at times, feel a bit overwhelming.  If you have been through “it” then you know that there are moments when we tend to wonder if we have any hope of making it through.  The parent who has endured years of trial with a struggling teen, the couple afraid to answer the phone for fear of what ominous threat lies on the other end of the call, the businessman struggling to keep his dream alive, …

Life is not always easy, in fact, it rarely is.  But this is what makes life an adventure.  I recently heard or read a sentiment that resonates with me, “If given the choice to feel pain or feel nothing, I’d rather the former”.  Indeed, the stresses of life, the tough spots, the pain, at a minimum, let us know we are alive.

Whether the storm we face is physical, emotional, spiritual, financial or relational (or all the above combined), we yet have hope, breath, life.  Take in each moment of the ordeal, feel and live it as if it is your last, appreciate the ability to feel and experience, and hang on, with white-knuckled grip if need be, as you keep pressing on.  You never know when or how the skies will break or what the view may be like on the other side of the storm.

I was just reminded of this reality yesterday while on a cross town adventure with my kids.  I had worked the first part of the day and had set the afternoon aside to take my kids to a museum forty minutes south.  Along the way we had to drive across the nation’s longest bridge over water, some twenty-four miles.  About two-thirds of the way across we were presented with a great view of the city.  What was so striking about the view on this day, however, was the storm moving in.  From ten miles out we had a bird’s eye look at the size, intensity, and darkness of this storm–and a hint at the unfolding drama.  Continuing to watch as we drove closer it became clear we would soon be driving through some really tough weather.  I began to question if we would indeed make the museum trip a reality as I knew we would have to park blocks away, and we certainly were not going to walk through ankle high water under an intense storm.

Once we got across the bridge and began to make our way through town it was as if the sky were falling.  It was raining buckets, traffic was heavy, the highway was backed up, and so we chose a different route for the adventure.  As “fate” would have it the route we took only added to the stress as we were forced to navigate through streets that were approaching partial flood levels.  With the stress of the drive, the unlikelihood of our trip unfolding, and frustration setting in, I was beginning to wonder why I did not turn around sooner and call it a day.   It was then that the real challenges set in.  The adventure stress meter went up another three levels.

As we were driving through a very crowded street through heavy rain, with the water beginning to accumulate we were being passed by a huge truck on our right.  The water was halfway up the trucks tires and as he went speeding by an enormous wall of water engulfed our vehicle.  We have all seen and been through similar situations before, no doubt.  But what made this one different was the amount, force, and unrelenting nature of this “wave”.  The wall of water fell on us so violently that it made a huge crashing sound even as it pushed the vehicle to the left with a jolt.  To make matters worse, I could not see to my left and did not know if another vehicle was there.  I squeezed the wheel, tried to pull back right, and tried to slow down, thinking, of course, that this would pull me out of the situation.

About that time, as I was thinking we would surely be passed by the truck and the situation would subside, my vehicle started to hydroplane, my stress level went through the roof, and then we were hit with another massive wave of water.  This one was so huge it covered the entire SUV like a Pacific Ocean wave swallowing a surfer.  The wall of water was so thick I could see nothing and do nothing.  I could not see on either side of me, and was just hoping that a massive crash was not about to unfold.  Further, it seemed like this wall of water just would not go away.  Though it was probably only seconds, it seemed like we were submerged for minutes and could do nothing to get away.  All three kids were screaming at the top of their lungs.

It was about this time I felt the adrenaline kick in, the stress peak, and the senses come fully alive.  I thought the guy in the truck must be intentionally trying to stay in just the perfect spot to keep the waves coming.  I began to feel like he was sent to be our undoing this day.  I was growing angry.

And then, just like that, amidst all the screaming, stress, and white-knuckles…it ended.  And I mean it ended.  Not only did the truck disappear, and the waves subside, but the entire storm was gone.  It was the oddest thing.  Just as we broke through the last wall of water it was as if we had journeyed through a secret and invisible passageway to a new world.  As soon as our view returned upon breaking through that last onslaught of fury, I mean in the very moment our front wheels broke out and we could see through the windshield, the entire world looked differently.  We went from a dark, harrowing, and violent ordeal into a world filled with blue skies, sunshine, and dry land in the snap of a finger.  It was strangely fantastic.

As we made it through I turned and looked at my kids who were now laughing and screaming with glee, “That was awesome! Man, did you see that!  We could not see a thing!  I almost opened my window in the middle of that!  That would have been great!”, and said, “Look at the sky!  Its totally clear!  How did that happen?!”  In an instant the world went from chaos to wonderful peace.  A break had finally come.  A break in the weather, the stress, and the sense that we were about to be done in.  Darkness and fury to light and life in a split second.
Here is the message of our adventure.  Amidst the storms of your life appreciate the ability which remains to take it all in.  Ride out the storm with a sense of divine adventure, purpose, and resolve.  As you hold on for dear life remember, you never know when the storm may break.  Even amidst the fury of the blast keep your head, and hang on…you may be about to enter a new world.  Each time we endure another adventure, another struggle, another fight, another soul tsunami, we view the world differently.  There is light at the end of that tunnel.  There is hope to be had.  When your life feels as if it is hydroplaning out of control call on God, embrace the adventure, and expect to be enriched through it all.  Your break may be closer than you think.

All the twists and turns of our lives make life worth the living.  Without the drama we would never appreciate the moments of peace.  As the narrative of your life unfolds take it in, study it, appreciate it, and allow God to make of your story something worth retelling.  Allow His love and light to break through on your journey and in your heart.

Bruce Smith

optimuslife.org

This entry was posted on 25. June 2008 at 10:01 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.