Raining

I awoke to the sound of thunder.

I dashed out in my nightgown, robe, and Anne’s flip-flops.

I’d neglected bringing in a few things last night and rain wouldn’t do them any good.

Thankfully, it had just begun to sprinkle.

By the time I was back in my bedroom it was raining hard.

I opened the curtains to watch it come down.

I love the rain.

Something has mixed inside of me.

My childhood spent in the desert, my experiences of little or no water, and my love of plants has created a deep appreciation for rain.

An appreciation for both the physical benefits and the Biblical lessons.

It reminds me of what Jesus has done for me.

First, He cleansed me from sin with His sacrifice.

Second, He is continually washing away the stain of sin upon my heart and mind. He renews my soul through His Word and His truths.

Third, He is constantly growing me. His presence in my life has been more than just a “regular watering” plants need to thrive. He has poured into me so much that I natural want to pour out into others.

Truly, a well of life.

John 4:14 NKJV — “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

I praise God for He reigns in my life.

His faithfulness is everlasting and His truth is endures to all generations.

“Thank You, Jesus, for rain.”

Spring rain

Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth it’s bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Every day this week I’ve read this verse.

It’s almost like I can’t fully understand what it is saying.

To imagine the buds on the trees and flowers, to watch the tiny heads of seeds break from the soil is all something I understand.

Yet to see righteousness and praise bud and bloom from the nations of the Earth seems almost unheard of.

Until I flipped open a magazine.

Page after page held the faces of people around the world making a difference for Christ.

I smiled.

And prayed for a member of our church who is currently on a mission trip.

This afternoon I walked out into the gentle spring rain and allowed the Lord to refresh my perspective.

If His Word says something it is truth, even when I can’t see it.

Just as the rain nourishes the ground so God’s Word fills my heart and mind with exactly what I’m lacking.

As the damp earth grows subtle and pliable so should my attitude towards the events around me.

Things might seem dead.
The pain of sin still grips one like frost in winter.
Yet as the rain washes off
the old
the dead
the dry
So the promises in God’s Word can wash off the pessimistic and bitter attitude which can come from the sad broken affects of sin.

Fresh

Spring has been my favorite season for so long
I love violets, daffodils, crocus, lilacs,
The soft green of new leaves,
The gentle rains,
The smell of the trees in bloom…
Love it!
God has blessed us with our own tiny slice of forest
(actually a path between some trees but I have never out grown Anne’s ability to imagine)
and the spring has brought some of the prettiest wildflowers I’ve ever seen.
With this spring I have had a season of extreme work.
Days that demanded so much my only options left when returning home was eat and sleep.
Good days of blessing
Days of work to bless others
Days of illness
Days of comforting those around me
Days of questions
Recently a series of events have taken place to a dear family neighbor.
Their ten month old baby nearly died of what is now thought to be a genetic defect.
She may have to take medicine for the rest of her life and because of this medicine be in danger of other illness and disease.
At times I found myself
In the midst of all the work
Looking at the sky
Pleading for her small life with every ounce of passion,
Only to smile in comfort and thank God again
for He is able
and present.
We still don’t know what will happen to our precious little neighbor.
Her family has been back at school with us and we are so glad.
She was clapping to a song yesterday, smiling, joyful…
And as I think of her
of Spring
I remember—“This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lam.3:20-22