Singin' the Rain

What a stark contrast as I look out the window at my fave hideaway, Blackbird Coffeehouse. And of course, drinking my Irish Cream Latte. I only have to buy one more until I get one free! WooHoo! Ok, back to my point. :)

Last week, it was beautiful, sunny, happy, and cheery. Today? It is overcast, gray, pouring rain.....and alive. It may be gray and pouring rain, but life is STILL good. When I was on my way over (in pouring rain), I started to think of what sorts of things I would write in my blog today. My mind was blank until I thought of what I wrote last week verses this week and how sunny it was and this week the complete opposite....but how life is STILL good. I STILL have a lot to be thankful for and I am STILL amazingly blessed. That will never change.

Then it hit me. In life, people feel blessed, content, and that life is good when their life is sunny and beautiful. Why shouldn't they? But when the rain and storms come, the whole atmosphere changes. They can have a tendency to feel gray, overcast, and almost like a person stuck in the middle of a rainstorm with no umbrella. They don't feel so blessed anymore. Like their mood is dependent on the things that are going on in their life.

I started thinking of the rain storms that occur in most if not everyone's life and how we need them....to grow. I look around outside and see green and colors everywhere. They couldn't be thriving the way they are if they didn't have the rain too. They need the rain, both good and bad kind, so that they can grow and mature into the beautiful plant/creation the Lord has made them to be. It makes me think of the song by MercyMe "Bring the Rain":

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain
I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

As a believer in Jesus Christ, through the storms and pouring rains in my life, HE is my umbrella. It makes me think of Psalm 91, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty..." Even though we are In and going THROUGH the rain in our life, we will not be negatively affected but only if we choose to rest in the shadow of the Almighty. It says in Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

What an amazing blessing and promise! Earlier this week I was listening to scriptural songs on different scriptures pertaining to faith. It says in Deuteronomy 28 that if we obey the Lord, he will COMMAND blessing to come upon us and our land! All we have to do is obey! Thank you, Father! And that with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible!!!!!

Praise God!!

So when we are going through rainy seasons, just keep singing! Because the Lord is your strength and your Refuge....and umbrella! It will only help you grow.....and continue eating the manna the Lord has provided for you so you don't grow weak and weary during this time. You will come through it! It will only make you stronger if you should to obey and following God. He not only is he the light and the lamp unto our feet, but he is our salvation! He shows and lights the way for us, but also provides and prepares us with His salvation!

Blessings,
Abby