June 18th

If there is one truth that is reoccurring in my life.... it is that God has a sense of humor. Today is June 18th. What's the big deal? Well June 18th, 1997 my grandfather passed away. I was almost 10 years old and was completely devastated. I remember that specific day like it was yesterday. I remember where I was, how it smelled, who I was around, etc. That day there was a HUGE thunderstorm. You know the kind where the sky turns green, the lighting sounds like its ripping through the sky, and the thunder shakes you entire house? Ya, it was that kind.

I, personally, LOVE thunderstorms. For some reason they are comforting to me. I love the smell and sound of rain and the nervous/excited feeling you get when it thunders. I don't really have favorites because I think its such a hard decision to make, but I do know that thunderstorms are definitely a favorite of mine.

Back to my story, there was a big thunderstorm the day my grandfather died. There was also a big thunderstorm the day of his funeral. Nothing seemingly coincidental there right? It was the summer time and that's what normally happens. Summer = heat and storms. However, since 1997 anywhere I am, there is a huge storm on June 18th. I thought it was weird at first and kind of ignored it for a few years. But the last three years of my life God has been completely evident in his power and his humor. Last year on June 18th I was at camp. It was a normal morning....hot, humid, and sunny. We went to breakfast just like we normally did and slowly but surely the sky began to turn green and black and looked super stormy. Before breakfast was over it started to pour down rain and thunder like no tomorrow! We took the campers back to the cabins and had to wait out the storm because there were tornadoes in the area. Really? Any other day it could have done that....but no.

And to no surprise, currently it is storming outside. Yes... its June 18th

It may seem crazy or like I'm making it up.... but I am not the only one that has noticed this insane reoccurrence. Since I've told people about it they also notice it. I think multiple things about this crazy happening. I think God uses these storms to remind me He's there. He does it to remind me that He is ever present and He hasn't left me. As a matter of fact, He will never leave me. Secondly, I think that my grandfather is saying hi. Hahah...that may sound strange but I think God provides us with things that remind us of those that we've lost to give us comfort and peace. I am reminded of my grandfather when I see hot air balloons and when it rains. Yesterday my sister saw a hot air balloon...and today it rained.

Weird? I think not. Coincidence? Heck no! God is bigger and more powerful than I could ever imagine. Heck! The ground shakes because of His power. He also is super funny. He comforts me and reminds me of who He is and never forgets to give me His gift of rain. Every. Single. June 18th.

It may seem simple or coincidental... but I challenge you to look around in your everyday life and see if God is trying to communicate with you. He always is...it just takes us to be quiet and listen to Him. We're the ones that make this whole communication thing difficult.

All I gotta say is God is good. He reminds me of it all the time.

"At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding."

Job 37:1-5

R.I.P. Alan C. Kamplain October 31, 1924 - June 18, 1997