From underneath my feet
Between the black skies and my red eyes
I can barely see
Mmm, when my hopes and dreams are far from me, and I'm runnin' out of faith
I see the future I picture slowly fade away
And when the tears of pain and heartache are falling down my face
I find my peace in Jesus' name
This is the beginning of the song "Eye Of The Storm" by Ryan Stevenson. Yesterday I was driving to a friend's house for a bit of 'sisterhood' and "Eye Of The Storm" came on the radio. I thought, 'oh my gosh' this song needs to hold me up through this conversation. Four of us were converging, at my friend's request, to hear her story. It is a story of a fast growing cancer, pain, decisions, planning, hope and the unimagined gift of God talking through her husband to give them shared hope and encouragement. We are all united, as people, with the truth that we all experience storms in our lives. We are united in the reality that no life is without turbulence.
I felt a glow among us yesterday as we sat together. We talked, laughed, cared, prayed and loved. Each of us grew as individuals. Watching a friend come to terms with a tough diagnosis and allowing us to witness it unfold was a gift. Some might say a sad gift, but I say if was a gift of life and honor her strength and courage.