Written by Miss April 2014 Keisha Pittman of BigPittstop

Last Tuesday Northwest Arkansas experienced some crazy weather. As I was leaving town traveling to another part of the state I hit the crazy weather in waves. It was just beginning to rain as I left Rogers. By the time I got to Springdale, the clouds were gone and the sun was shining and in a matter of moments as I passed the Garland Ave exit coming in to Fayetteville, a series of dark clouds blew in and settled low.

With our topic this month on my mind and the wide open road of 540-S in front of me, I began to really think about life over the past 10 years. Somehow, the picture of my morning really seemed to play out. I’ve heard it said before of life that you are either in a valley, coming out of a valley, or about to head into one. Valleys, storms, sometimes they just kinda feel the same.

As a kid I can remember any time it rained, and the sun was out, I started looking for a rainbow. My dad is the one who helped me understand rainbows. Well, at least that when there was rain and sun, there had to be a rainbow somewhere. I’ve seen a full rainbow. One that stretches the horizon and makes you wonder if the pot of gold exists. And, I’ve seen the barely there rainbow; the one you have to get just in the right place to see.

You’re right; you know exactly where I’m going with this.

Life has a way of doing something very similar. We’ve all had the storm; a tough diagnosis, a change in family status, a big move or a trying day. Thunder, lighting, the big dark clouds. They all seem to roll in.

I’ve never been one much for a rainy day. Clouds make me tired, rain makes me wanna sleep and a combination of the 2 can just about put me in the sourest of moods. But, sunshine. I love sunshine. Vitamin D and I completely agree and I’m almost certain to have a big fat smile on my face when the sunny day rolls around.

But, life can’t be all sunshine and rainbows. Whether it’s to appreciate them when they come or to somehow know to distinguish the difference, we have to have to storms. We’ve gotta have the tough days, the trials, the hard times. For, it’s in those places that we discover the best of ourselves. We find out what we are made of and who will journey with us. We are refined.

April in Arkansas always tends to be a little treacherous. We spend a few more nights gathered close to the 10 o’clock news and loose a few good night of DVR space to recorded storm coverage. My life in April tends to feel something similar. Seasons change, life picks up and I somehow always go on record for declaring I’m going to cut something out that I never do.

I found it rather ironic last Tuesday, about 35 minutes into my drive Laura Story’s Blessingscame on the radio. If you are not familiar with the lyrics, the chorus says this:

What if your blessings come through raindrops?
What if your healing comes through tears?
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re here?
What if trials of this life, are your mercies in disguise?

Not one much for being a fan of lemons or lemonade, I think I’m operate from here on our under the mantra – When life brews up a storm, start looking for the rainbow!