"Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord, 
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights," 
(Habakkuk 3:17-19, NIV). 

Next to this scripture in my Bible, I have written, “I love this!”

I love it for the same reason that when I’m in the midst of a storm in my life or things simply don’t seem to be going my way, I like to close my eyes and go to “my happy place.” I imagine that…

I giggle as I twirl about
in my small yurt
surrounded by windows
without curtains.


Outside, a thunderstorm
bellows angrily as the helpless
wet leaves cling to their branches
thrashing wildly about, like a galloping
child with her ragdoll, carelessly
swinging it by its cloth arm
and singly loudly off key.


In my yurt, it's quiet.


I take delight in the
cheerful bits of creamy
rattan furniture snugly
nestled throughout the space. 


The storm scourges
and spits at
my humble hut.


I anchor my feet
up on a cozy cushion
as I ease back in my cocoon
swing that hangs next to
the window
showcasing the perilous weather
on the other side of it.


I peek from my swaddle
and comfortably watch 
the commotion outside.


My swaying-seat lazily turns
as I tuck back my legs
and hug them to myself.
Still nested in my egg,
I smile at the snow
colored day bed overlayed
with pillows and blankets
handcrafted by close friends.


The storm outside rages! Angry.
Annoyed. 


A lopsided round table,
(made steady by a folded piece
of purple paper
underneath the short leg),
holds my steaming tea.


As I reach for my chamomile,
the rain drops clap
hard against the pane of glass.
I chuckle at my mismatched
teacup and saucer,
placed together like a pair of 
unlikely friends. 


The thunderstorm,
just feet away,
relentlessly vying
for my attention. 


The kitchenette,
just steps away,
eagerly holding plates
for my favorite treats. 


I smile at all the pieces
of chipped and clashing dish-ware
hanging-out
together in my cupboard.


Lightening strikes,
illuminating
priceless trinkets,
flashing back
sweet moments of times past.


The storm continues
its diatribe,
one-sided.


I delight
in my stillness,
with God.

There is something incredibly satisfying about the peace felt deep within us amid any such chaos that might occur in our lives. I firmly believe that only a relationship with God can bring about such a peace as this while events collide all around us.

I think about the times I’ve said, “God is good,” after something turned out as I hoped. Really, though, God is good even when nothing seems to be going our way. When we rest in Him and rely on His strength, we truly can trust that He is good and will ultimately work everything out as He intended. He will enable us to rise above and beyond any storm… regardless.