Dear Lord,
I'm writing to thank You for the rain - and to confess a little something too.
We've had a lot of cold, gray, rainy days over the past few weeks. We always need rain, especially now after long years of devastating drought. Every drop is precious. But I have a little confession to make. I easily tire of waking up to dark, dreary mornings; of walking outdoors and feeling chilled right down to my bones. If I'm not careful, I find my spirit sinking beneath the weight of those dark clouds.
We passed one of those wild plum trees on the way to get groceries this morning. It stood clothed in those lavender pedals - stark against the rain drenched skies. I was reminded that it is often in the storms that life is transformed.
We scattered wild flower seeds in the fall - throwing out handfuls of hope. They have lain fallow for months now, resting in the warmth of the sun and enduring the storms. I imagine them sending out little roots that will burrow down into the earth. I watch and wait for beautiful flowers to push their way up.
And so it is with me, Father. We've walked through stormy days. Days when dark circumstances felt like weights, and fear made my heart race. Truthfully, there were times when You felt so far away. In the hardest moments, You reminded me of Your promises: You will never leave me or forsake me; You are working all things together for my good; You fight my battles for me; You are my peace.
It's difficult to remember sunny days when you're standing in the middle of the storm, but my little Granddaughter reminded me (You have such a remarkable way of speaking truth into my life.). On one of those rainy days she flew on an airplane to come and see us. Afterwards she kept repeating how amazing it was to fly above the storm clouds and discover the sun was shining all along.
Yes. The sun, although sometimes obscured from view, is always there. The storms serve Your purpose if we will let them. When I sink down roots into the rain-drenched circumstances, You bring new life. You use the circumstances to change me in ways a sunny day never could.
Thank You - for sunshine and rain; for good times and hard times; for joy and sorrow. You make all things good.
"They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit."
Jeremiah 17:8
Linda
