Refreshing Rain

Our region—and much of our country—has been dealing with drought for months. Recently we’ve received some refreshing rain and we’re so very thankful for the much-needed relief. Won’t you praise God with me for the refreshment he gives our earth—and for the refreshment he gives our souls? How we thank you, how we praise you, Lord!

Blessed Sound of Falling Rain

Blessed sound of falling rain

The music we’ve strained to hear
For so long,
The sound of life
To our drought-stricken land,
The melody of God’s provision.
A greedy earth clutches at the drops
Almost drinking before they land,
Needy and desperate for any relief
It takes hours before she relaxes.
Finally she glories in the drink
Soaking, laughing, swelling with life,
Praising God with every drip, drip, drip
Turning green with gratitude.
Our thirsty souls wait as well
For the sounds of life that restore us,
The sounds of a Savior
Coming to pour
The music we’ve strained to hear.
Yes, blessed sound of falling rain.

“for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:9

*How does God refresh you?

*Flickr photo by John-Morgan

Life-giving Rain

Whew, finally! After watching the leaves on the trees almost choke from thirst, this past Thursday and Friday we got some life-giving autumn rain. I don’t know what it’s been like where you live, but here in the Heartland, we’ve had an unusually dry and milder than normal fall.

I admit I’ve loved the warmer temps and sunshiny days, but dry spells certainly take their toll. When the trees finally got around to treating us to the gorgeous fall colors we all look forward to, many of the leaves had already made their descent, skittering across streets and sidewalks and crackling underfoot.

The leaves still adorning the trees have been giving a valiant effort at filling our lives — however briefly — with shades of orange, red, and gold, but the colors have not been as vibrant, the leaves not as fresh and healthy-looking. The lack of moisture has shown.

So when the rain came this past week, we all eagerly soaked it up — the earth, with a serious thirst to quench, and us, rejoicing in the replenishing work of God going on around us. Even though the days dawned dark and dreary, excitement and gladness filled our spirits as we offered thanks for the life-giving rain.

Dry spells come to our spiritual lives as well, don’t they? Times when God seems far away, times when it seems we’re not hearing from Him or feeling His touch. But just as certainly as dry spells come — whether in the natural world or in our spiritual lives — thankfully, dry spells go. One day when we have a serious thirst to quench and when the lack of refreshment is painfully evident, God sweeps in and does a replenishing work. He sends a life-giving rain.

How does this look in your life? How does God refresh you? Does the Word finally seem to speak to your spirit? Does He give you a special touch that could only come from Him? Maybe you’re rejuvenated by the beauty of God’s creation or the timely fellowship of a friend.

One thing is certain. However God chooses to send us fresh life, we eagerly soak it up, and we rejoice in its coming.

Do you find yourself choking through a dry spell of your own? Hang on, friend. The rain is coming.

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

*Flickr photo by lecates, Creative Commons License

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Rainy Season

I don’t know what it’s been like in your corner of the world this past week, but here in the Heartland, we’re starting to gather materials for another ark. No, we haven’t had 40 days and 40 nights of rain yet — it only feels like it. Truth be told, I think we’re just on day eight, but that’s about 7 days in a row too many as far as I’m concerned.

I don’t think I could handle it if we had a true rainy season like many countries experience. Spring in the Midwest is enough for me. Give me a string of rainy days approaching double digits, and I can get pretty whiny. And I’ve noticed I’m not alone. If you hear a collective moan rising from the center of the country, that would be us :) Unfortunately, some have real reason to moan since the spring storms have been severe in some places, causing tornadoes or flooding. Our hearts go out to all of them.

Most of us, however, have just had to endure dark and dreary days, tracked-up kitchen floors, and mad dashes from parking lots to our intended destinations. Just enough, in other words, to make us complain. We tend to forget that it is the rain that makes our lawns and trees a greener green and coaxes flowers into full bloom, adding happy color to our lives. And how can we forget that we need the spring showers to bolster and buffer our earth for the dry days of summer ahead. Yes, we need our rainy season.

Some of us may even be experiencing a different type of rainy season. Some may be enduring dark and dreary days because of illness, loss of various kinds, or a host of other sources of stress and unhappiness. It may feel as if every day brings yet another trial to overcome. Surely none of us need rainy seasons like that.

But don’t those dark times — those days that rain trials — tend to draw us closer to the Lord and help us grow stronger and deeper in Him? Those are the times, in fact, that do lead to new growth and a fuller, more radiant bloom. And as we find that our faith proves God trustworthy time and again, we are bolstered and buffered for whatever lies ahead. We are strengthened. We are matured. Looks like we need those rainy seasons after all…

So until the sun shines again, let’s make God our ultimate destination. Let’s keep making those mad dashes to our Refuge. He’s like no other.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

Flickr photo by net_efekt, Creative Commons License

Rained On

A couple of days ago it showered in our community, but we didn’t get any precipitation. How can that be? Simple — it rained leaves! Not a few sprinkles, mind you, but a steady shower of leaves could be seen racing toward the ground each time I looked out the window. Crazy leaves. Here they were jumping ship before they put on a full show of color for us. Definitely not a typical Midwest autumn.

Even the way the leaves fell the other day spoke volumes. These were rebel leaves. Nothing gentle and graceful about them. Most of the time when I think of falling leaves, I picture them taking turns dancing their way to the ground — not this mass exodus of foliage frantic in its desire to clutter our yards. Lucky for us, though, plenty from their ranks still remain on the trees to dance for us in the days to come.

As I watched the raining leaves, I thought of other things that seem to rain down into our lives. Troubles came to mind and of course the old phrase “when it rains, it pours”. But more than that, I thought of blessings. I wondered what it would look like if we could actually see all of our blessings raining down on us like we could see the leaves raining down that day. I bet it would look more like a downpour than a shower.

Do a quick inventory with me, and you’ll see what I mean. First there are the biggies — God’s love and care, family, friends, health, home, job and financial provision, our nation, a church family, a beautiful world, our possessions, the list goes on… Within each of those categories, I could list a host of more specific blessings. Each of you could do the same.

And what about the blessings we take for granted? This summer a flood devastated part of our town. We found out real quick what a blessing clean, safe running water is when our water supply was contaminated. The same could be said for other things like electricity, a safe food supply, gasoline, medical care, mail and other services. Again the list goes on…

Yes, we’ve been rained on. Showered with blessings. What did we do to deserve such abundance? Nothing. Scripture says “From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another.” (John 1:16)

How thankful I am that God’s blessings don’t depend on me deserving them, but rather they are just gifts from Him. So…next time you see a falling leaf (or a tree load of falling leaves!), take a moment and thank God for the blessings He has rained on you. Better grab an umbrella.