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The storm had passed and it was a new day! It had been raining for the past couple of days; for some people this makes for a dismal existence, as it interrupts their pace and plans in life.

It is the dawning of a new day and the inspiring song “Feeling Good,” by the incomparable Jennifer Hudson, originated by the iconic Nina Simone, is playing in the background. I’ve certainly heard the beats before. I’m quite familiar with the strong vocals. But, there was a new found appreciation that day, as I remembered the storms of yesterday. The terrifying booming noise of thunder. The sharp piecing image of lightning and then the blackout. All electricity is lost in the storm.

Have you ever felt lost in your storms? Have you ever lost stuff in your storms? The feeling of being lost makes for a humbling disposition. I turned the volume on the radio up a notch, allowing the words to pore into me. The storm was over! And power was restored to me. Sometimes, we can let the beat of a song move us, thus missing the message being delivered. I paused for a moment; actually listening to the illuminating words being sung.

“Feeling Good”

Birds flyin’ high, you know how I feel

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel

It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me.

Yeah, it’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me, ooooooooh…

And I’m feelin’ good.

Of course this song alone is not what actually caused a shift in my disposition. The choice to be happy in spite of life’s contending forces is a personal choice which we must all must make. There is a process to embracing the new, as a rule it begins with the mind. There maybe someone who is now reading this article that has experienced a loss, or maybe they are in a state of sadness or oppression. There is certainly great empathy to their plight.

Some storms can be frightening. Dark, looming clouds cast shadow the horizon with a gray, imposing a mysterious effect in the atmosphere. There is just something about the approaching storm (s) that makes people edgy; this of course is understandable, as they can be incredibly unpredictable, with strong winds, thunder, and lightning accompanying it. It truly is a phenomenon to witness. This particular day is different. The sun is at its zenith, the birds are chirping, and the soft gentle breeze is causing the leaves on the trees to sway back and forth. It is life.

There is beauty all around, begging for recognition and appreciation. Oddly many will ignore the beauty that life offer us for free, i.e., walking on the beach, spending time with friends, going to the park, and so on. This “ignore,” is not often by intent; it is just taken for granted. Until a storm happens. Storms have limited timing. It doesn’t last always. That is what should keep one inspired in a storm, knowing that it will come to an end soon, and the sun is going to shine… again. Until then, ride it out as you keep believing. Then one day revelation and appreciation will come.

No one is exempt from the storms of life. The Bible states: “God sends rain on the just and the unjust.” — Matthew 5:45. God doesn’t leave us in our storms; in fact He leads us through them. Don’t listen to the sounds of the thunder and lightning. Be in tuned to His soft and gentle voice; believe me He speaks to us, we oftentimes, miss it. Pain and hurt can do that. Hold on and never let go. Give out, but, never up. Go ahead and shine now, because after all you’ve been through and endured, you have a right. Before, you know it; it is the dawning of a new day! Let’s go get it!

(Editor’s note: Vanessa Jackson can be reached at the church office ,532-4343)