[Personal note: Thank you for your patience over the last few months. I resolved not to blog out of ‘duty’ and lately I had to give myself permission to miss posting without feeling guilty. God bless you as you read. May you experience showers of blessings today! ]
“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
While driving one day, I noticed what appeared to be dust coming rapidly towards me. I contemplated pulling over, but before I could make a decision, my thoughts were shattered by the sound of heavy raindrops on the roof of the car. At that point, I realized I had to pull over as visibility was now very low, but in a matter of seconds I had driven through the sheet of rain, and was now on the other side with not so much as a drop of water on the road surface!
In relating my puzzling experience to a friend, it occurred to me how much this situation represents what often happens in our lives. We often come across intense situations that take us by surprise, but soon they are over and we walk on to new experiences. Sometimes the deluge is painful and hard to bear, but at other times, we partake in intense showers of blessings that we wish would last forever. As we endure the showers for gain or pain, we are often so caught up in the moment that we are not always aware of how quickly these showers pass, yet the showers will not end until their purpose is achieved.
Thunderstorms are said to occur when the air gets very hot, or very cold. The showers appear at times to be inconvenient, but they serve the purpose of stabilizing the atmosphere. God’s thoughts are higher than ours. We may not always understand the reason behind the sudden changes around us, but we can rest in the knowledge that no experience is wasted, and that our times and seasons are still in His hands.
Inventory/Introspection: Do I find it easy to depend on God to walk me through the sudden downpours?
Personal Application: I may not always know whether joy or pain await me, but I have the assurance that times and seasons are in my Father’s hands, and that He will be with me each step of the way.
Father, we are grateful that Your plans are perfect! Rain is necessary for growth and life, but too much or too little rain can have devastating effects. Help us to be mindful of the times and seasons, and to trust that You have our best interest at heart whether You send showers of rain or allow intervals of pain. We trust Your hand.
Your Word says we should give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:15-20). We are thankful for the times when the storms pass quickly, and we barely catch a glimpse of them in our rear-view mirrors. We are also thankful for the times when You cause the storms to linger a while, because we know You are with us, and You will never leave us to walk alone. We trust Your guidance.
Help us to see You in our circumstances and to live knowing that You are more than able to see us through whatever we come across. As You make the changes necessary to stabilize our situations, may we be quick to surrender our will to You and to give You the glory and praise, regardless. We trust Your love.
Amen
Blessings,
ann
Toni R (c)
Except where indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
© Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s Blog, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Anthonette Anderson and Tonirand’s blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
joseph elon lillie
July 2, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Well said Ann. I have not understood the reasons for all my storms but I do know the mysteries will be revealed in time. Further I can never deny that the dark times tend to be the Times of greatest spiritual growth.
Ann
July 3, 2013 at 7:23 pm
You write much truth!
As the old song says, “we will understand it better by and by”!
” Further I can never deny that the dark times tend to be the Times of greatest spiritual growth.”
Indeed Pastor J
Blessings
ann
Debbie
July 2, 2013 at 10:30 pm
Thank you, Ann, for encouraging us to trust Him in the long downpours and in the quick showers .. .in whatever comes. This time you have ME thinking of a song! Love you and God bless you!
Ann
July 3, 2013 at 7:26 pm
Thank you, Dearest Deb!!!
This is a new and meaningful one for me! I am going to be be playing it over and over again.
The ‘whatevers’ can bring much testing, but I am so thankful that He has planted purpose in our trials. Nothing is wasted!
Blessings and much love,
ann
imexcited
July 3, 2013 at 12:32 am
Amen! Thank you for this wonderful reminder my friend. Truly, God’s plans are perfect and he knows whats best for us. God bless you.
Ann
July 3, 2013 at 7:21 pm
God Bless You, Marilou
It’s often hard to imagine how something so frightful as a thunderstorm could have benefits, but they do.:-) Sometimes the things we need to walk through can seem really frightful too, but yes, it is good to know that God’s plans for us are perfect!
Blessings much,
ann
Pat
July 3, 2013 at 9:04 pm
Amen,amen!!
Love you and I enjoyed the read 😀
Ann
July 3, 2013 at 10:29 pm
God bless you, Dearest Sister Pat!!
How are you?
Pat
August 7, 2013 at 3:03 am
I’m up late this morning 7-7-13 and I am doing well thank God for how very good he is.I hope all is well your way.
Love you 🙂
Ann
August 13, 2013 at 6:46 pm
Thanks for checking in, Sister Pat
Faithful is our God!
Blessings and much love,
ann
meetingintheclouds
July 4, 2013 at 6:28 pm
Welcome back Ann. I missed you and your wisdom.
I love the way you drew lessons from your experience in the storm.
We never welcome ‘storms’ that hit us in life, but with hindsight we are able to praise God for them as we look back and see how He used them to “grow” us. Because we know He will always do this, when the next storm hits, it should encourage us to immediately look to Him, trusting Him to enable us to overcome.
PS I love the new, clean, refreshing look here.
Ann
August 13, 2013 at 6:50 pm
Thanks for your kind comments, Dear Angela
(And to think I vanished again 😦 Life has become inexplicably busy after school, and I thought it would have gotten easier 🙂 )
You’re right … we don’t go greeting storms, but yes, He provides us a reason to praise His name! May we always remember that He is with us through our storms and tests!
Blessings much,
ann
P.S. Thanks mucho. I believe Pastor J was my inspiration towards sprucing up 🙂
Moore to ponder
July 13, 2013 at 8:22 am
I am so glad I read this today.
Ann
August 13, 2013 at 6:50 pm
God bless you, Theresa
May His peace be yours, even today.
Blessings,
ann
ayoliag
July 30, 2013 at 8:18 am
I too have been MIA from my blog (hoping to get back on the trail. Missed you all!) That is true though .. . just have to stick it out and remember that God never gives us more than we can bear!
Ann
August 13, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Hey You! 🙂
Good to see you on this side… (although I have been elsewhere…) Hope to pop over and visit soon.
Sometimes the load feels a bit heavy, but it’s great to know that He is with us. Carrying us… Loving us… Despite our decisions. Talk about Amazing Grace!
Blessings much,
ann
Paulette
August 18, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Hello Ann,
Thinking of you, and praying for you today. May the Lord bless you, abundantly!
Your sister in Christ,
Paulette
Ann
November 25, 2013 at 3:58 pm
God bless you, Minister Paulette
I have been SWAMPED! Thank God for His Grace and His peace. Thankful too for the prayers of the brothers and sisters. 🙂
May God reward your faithfulness.
Blessings much to you today!
ann
thefisherlady
September 23, 2013 at 3:29 pm
this scriipture was exactly what I needed to hold in my heart today… thank you Ann for the greatly encouraging words… His ways are so much higher than ours. For this I am so glad.
Ann
November 25, 2013 at 4:09 pm
God bless you much, Dear Susan
62 days has got to be a new record. So sorry 😦
Hopefully normalcy returns soon, so I can get back to doing the things I enjoy.
Blessings and more,
ann
thefisherlady
November 29, 2013 at 2:24 am
I came upon this today again and thought you would enjoy the white horse day story~
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/05/for-the-days-that-seem-to-be-going-bad/
Moore to ponder
March 14, 2014 at 8:36 pm
I just stopped by to say hello. I hope all is well.
Blessings,
Theresa
Ann
April 20, 2014 at 6:08 pm
Thanks, Theresa!
We are okay this side. Hope you are too 🙂 [Life has gotten really, really busy! Working on getting my writing back on track.}
Blessings,
ann