Jesus, Bring The Rain

Today the weather has been a bit wonky. 


Started out as a beautiful sunny morning with a nice slight breeze, just enough to blow the humidity around.


Then it quickly darkened up. The clouds rolled in and hid the sun. Then the sound of raindrops. And more raindrops.


A downpour of water. 

I went back to my chore, and when I looked out again, the sun was shining brightly. 


I listened and heard no raindrops, but rather the singing of the birds. 


I chuckled as to how quickly things change. 


A few moments passed, and the rains returned. Everything was drenched with water. 


Moments later, the sun peaked through again. 


I got a text from my youngest son. I needed to pick him up from work. He couldn't do his outside job in this rain. I told him it was sunny here, but he assured me it was non-stop rain where he was working.




Before we are finished texting, the rains returned here. I went out into the rain to get to my vehicle. 


I only got a few miles and the sun started to shine again. The edges of the ol' country roads showed pools of water collecting, creating big fresh cool bathing puddles for the birds. 


As I continued to drive, I thought of how the sudden change in weather is comparable to our experience in life. 


One minute we're enjoying the sun, soaking up it's warmth, basking in good times. 


All is well. 


And in an instant the trials, the "rains", come. We're not prepared. We don't expect it. We run for cover and just want to hide. We can do nothing about it but sit and watch and wonder "how long is this going to last!?". 


We all experience it at one time or another. Some more than others. 


But what happens when the sun comes out again..... you realize the little downpour of water was a good thing..... it gave the earth a drink. The flowers and plants appreciated it. The animals appreciated it. The rains didn't last forever; they were just here for a time. 


Same with our trials. They don't last forever. They may seem like they last forever. They may last a few minutes or a few months or years; they may last your whole earthly lifetime. 


I used to really dislike when I would hear people talk about how they thank God for their trials; how the trials made them stronger. I didn't want to hear about that. I wanted to hear how God could teach us to be faithful during the good and easy times!


Now, I'm realizing that's not really possible. Just like when you exercise.... it's not effective without some pain and effort. You don't build those muscles while lying on the couch eating potato chips.


And our lives are the same. We don't always learn much when everything is going along with great ease. 


I cannot tell you how much I have disliked the trials that we've experienced, in the last number of years most especially. And I cannot tell you how I really don't want to keep enduring them or go through them again.


But I can tell you that when I look back, I do thank God for them..... [did I really just say that?]... for they have taught me more about who I am, who I want to be. They've taught me who and what is important in my life. I've learned to appreciate the little things more.... the most simplest little things. 


Would I have learned all of that in the sunshine?  Not likely. I had to be out in the rain. In the downpour. Getting wet. Getting soaked. 


But the sun comes out again. And it's a richer sun. A brighter sun. A warmer sun. 

More rains will come. And the sun will not be far behind. In fact the sun is there, behind the clouds.


More trials will come. And the Son is there for me. Not behind a cloud, but He is there for me..... and in me... and all around me.... and through me.


And I'm slowly learning to understand the concept of "Jesus, bring the rain".

The Shopping Cart

Ohhhhh.... it's good to be back to my little world of blogging!

After two whole months of no postings, I'm itching to get back into it! I've truly missed it.

I want to ensure that you get some updates on how everyone in the family is doing, and I promise I will post about that in the next few days, but I wanted to talk to you about something in particular today.

A number of years ago, a new grocery store was built in our community. One of the ways to ensure the shopping carts were returned to the store entrance or to the little shopping cart shelters located in the middle of the parking lot was to require the shopper to insert a quarter in order to use the cart. Then, upon returning the cart to the shelter or entrance area, you could retrieve your quarter.

Upon returning my cart one day, a few years ago, a gentleman arrived at the entrance just as I was getting ready to retrieve my quarter. He asked, "Are you finished with this cart?" I replied, "Yes, I am," and I turned the cart around for him. He took hold of the cart and walked into the store. I stood there thinking, "You could have at LEAST offered to give me my quarter back!"

And then it hit me.

How selfish I was over a simple quarter.

I made up my mind then and there that I would turn my self-centered thought into a good thing. I decided the next time someone needed a cart, I would give it to them and not expect the quarter back. It would be a simple blessing. (And, yes, a little ol' quarter CAN be a blessing!)

So the next time I wheeled my cart back to the entrance, I saw a lady heading towards the store. I said, "Do you need a cart?" "Yes," she replied, and she held out her quarter. I grinned and said, "No, no. That's okay. You can keep the quarter". Well, she gave me the strangest look... like she was shocked. I smiled and turned to head back to my car, grinning all the way. I thought, "Oh. That felt real good!"

It is something I've done now for many years. It's likely not added up to all that much dollar wise; however, I just don't think I could measure all the blessing that it has given me, and likely others.

Then just last week I was headed to the entrance to get a cart, and there was one lone cart near the door with the quarter still in it. My first thought was, "Yeah for ME! I've gained a quarter!", but then it dawned on me that someone ELSE was passing on a blessing! There probably wasn't anyone at the door when they were returning their cart, so they just left the cart there to bless someone else. And I guess it was MY time to be blessed in a receiving way rather than a giving way!

Now before you go thinking that I'm being snobbish and arrogant in thinking that I started this whole "quarter blessing" thing, let me assure you I am fully aware that others have been doing this as well, likely much longer than me. But the truth is, it does not take much to do something to bless someone else.

I can tell you that about three or four years ago, it was all I could do some days to even afford the quarter to put in the cart before I could even walk into the grocery store. We were put in a position where absolutely every single penny that passed through our hands had to be analyzed and re-analyzed as to how it was going to get spent! So I am fully aware of the value of that little ol' quarter that goes into the shopping cart slot.

If a simple quarter can provide such a blessing to you, as a giver, and to someone else, as a receiver, won't you consider trying it next time? If there's no one there to pass the cart onto, why don't you just leave the cart there with the quarter in it? You might be blessing someone who doesn't have a quarter handy, or a Mom with her arms full of baby and purse and diaper bag, or an elderly person who needs to quickly get out of the cold wintry breeze.

Or if you're feeling really generous, pop a quarter in the end cart on every row of carts! I hadn't thought of that until just now!

I think I'm gonna need to stock up on some quarters. How about you?

Today's post is for Carolyn P., Luanne, and Danielle..... three people who said they miss my blog. :o)