Yesterday, my girls delighted in the rain. Toss on a coat, a pair of boots, and grab a monstrously large umbrella, and they are good to go. I sat at the window and watched as they splashed and stomped with pleasure.Where we live, we get plenty of rain. It doesn't bother me in the fall or the winter, as I actually kind of enjoy it. But by springtime, it feels as though we deserve some sun and dry weather. We very rarely get it with any regularity until mid-summer. The rain is what makes our point on the globe so green and lovely, but honestly ... I can grow weary of it.
I went looking for scriptures today about rain. Feeling a weighted spirit over difficult issues lately, I feel as though I've been in a personal rainy season for awhile. I know it will end and the sun will shine again ... but today ... it's still rainy.
What I found, however, was verse upon verse that described rain as a blessing. Not the gloomy, wet drudgery I had in mind, but a conscious and merciful act of God. Yes, rain can accompany storms or floods. Rain can be that from which we seek shelter and a reprieve. But a blessing? Is my rainy season not the torrent I believed it to be, but a time of watering to encourage new growth, a full yield, and an appreciation for refreshed beauty?I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Leviticus 26:4
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12
"You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the Lord, have created it."
Isaiah 45:8
The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12
"You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the Lord, have created it."
Isaiah 45:8
Well. Maybe so."As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:9-11
Thanks for the post. So encouraging to realize that a lot of this is dealt with in the Word...and He cares.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Those ARE gigantic umbrellas. And love the boots. :)
So beautifully written, Anna. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteDelightful pictures of your girls! You are very artistic and have quite an eye!
Great post and beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteso true, and those pictures are amazing. frameable, for sure-
ReplyDeleteOh, dear friend... thank you for sharing a portion of your heart with us. In my humaness I hate that you are in the midst of a personal rainy season, yet I am reminded of what we are told in James... "Consider it pure joy {joy? really? yes!} when you encounter trials of various kinds." {my paraphrase}
ReplyDeleteIn your digging through scripture I can see that you have already discovered this theme. Do have faith that there not only a purpose but a blessing in what it is you face. And, remember, "no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly."
Stunning, darling photos -- they brought me much delight, but your girls *always* have a way of doing that... and now I have a girl too!!
I love rain (and fog). However, when there's rain and fog upon my soul, I tend to wither within myself. It's then I'm reminded of God's greatness - that He is my shelter in storm, my sure foundation, the place where I can not only run to but climb upon His lap and rest my head on His shoulder. He's that kind of Abba Father. I'm at such a place and know that it is only through Him where I can find peace in the puddles called life.
ReplyDeletePraying for you,
jAne
tickleberryfarm.blogspot.com
Ahh, perspective.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! Way to look at things for a different perspective...love the Scripture! Balm to the soul! Gorgeous pics!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ADORABLE photos! LOVE the big umbrellas and rainboots! I've been wanting to get some cute rainboots for the girls just so I can take pictures! (=
ReplyDeleteI too went through a long season. (very Longggg) But as always with our Lord, He is faithful. My roots are growing deeper and bringing forth new growth on what I thought were dead brances!!!
ReplyDeletePaula
I understand your rain,I used to live in olympia Wa for 8 years. I too longed for spring a dry spring. Now I have a very dry year, and look forward to the rain. and this summer as we move again to colorado... Who knows what is in store there. :)
This is a great post, Anna! The photos are lovely too, like your girls are two bright spots on a dreary day.
ReplyDelete