The Girl In The Storm

 She paused for a moment and gazed around her. A green meadow surrounded her on all sides. Though the meadow was peaceful with a small stream running gently over smooth stones she appeared to be restless.

The grass glistened and threw miniature rainbows , the evidence of a recent storm. If someone had been observing the young girl they would've seen that she had also been through the storm.
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Her clothes were wet and the hem of her skirt was stained with mud.  Her arms and face were scratched from the branches of bushes and trees that she had struggled through in the forest. The small drops that ran down her face may have been raindrops or tears.

She had fought the storm during the night in the forest and she had won, but from one glance it would have been obvious that it had been a hard battle and she was worn out. Now the sun shone softly down on her, drying out her clothes as a gentle breeze from the south whispered Hope through the grass. The brook sang a sweet invitation for weary travelers to come rest by its healing waters.

But the girl did not seem heed them - she appeared to not even seem to notice that the storm had passed and every bit of creation was singing of the sweet resting place that had been created especially for weary travelers by the very One she was so desperate to find.

She gazed around the meadow once again, puzzled. The forest may have been dark, but she pressed on, driven by some strong sense of direction and purpose she never knew she had. Now there was nothing. It was as if she had used up every bit of direction and was left in the middle of nowhere.

Had she been wrong in the forest and was now left to fend for herself? Had she just imagined that her direction had come from the One she was seeking for? Had she just imagined hearing His voice whisper to her through the storm, urging her on? Had He even been there at all? 

In despair she finally voiced her fears aloud, crying out in confusion - not at all sure that she would receive an answer, thinking maybe she had wondered too far from the right path. 

"Oh my Lord! Have You brought me out here for nothing? Was it all in vain? Was I not guided by You after all, but only following my own ideas? Was I just going my own direction?"

The last reserve of strength left in her after the struggle through the storm seemed to fade with the questions and she fell to the ground. There was no longer any question whether it was rain or teardrops that ran freely down her face, making little paths through the mud speckled on her cheeks.

Suddenly a strong hand grasped hers as she fell to the ground and a loving voice answered her despairing cry.

"My Beloved One, I have created this resting place just for you. I have been waiting here for your all along. You were not wrong in your direction, for it was I showing you the way, even though you couldn't see Me. Weeping may last for a night, but Joy comes in the morning! Do not dwell on the experiences of the stormy night - but allow yourself to wake up and see and feel the joy and rest I have created just for you.

​Remember the lessons learned during the night and apply them to your life, but don't let them blind you from the perfect Peace I also want you to experience. This meadow is not a place of questioning but a place of rest. 

"It is not my plan for you to be constantly battling. Take time to rest, to wash your bruised feet and scratched muddy face and arms, to drink deeply of the healing streams and be revived. In My presence is perfect peace and rest. You are My dearly Beloved and I will perfect my plans for you, in My time. Only trust in Me and I will once again show you the path I want you to follow. But I have planned this time for you to rest wholly in My love and learn more about My character before you move on."

And the sun fully burst through the clouds and the birds sang in joyful harmony as He smiled down at her.