The Blessing of Rain

I awoke this morning to the sound of rain hitting the window. Often rain is symbolic of hard times, however rain is also a sign of blessings. Afterall, one hymn writer wrote: "There Shall be Showers of Blessings."

On one of our Hearts Aflame Discipleship Journeys to The Holy Land, I realized from a friend living there at the time, Phillip, that rain is almost always related to blessings and almost never to hard times in that region of the world. You see, The Middle East is most often dry and barren -- a thirsty, desert wilderness. So, when it does rain there, it is seen as a very welcome blessing from Above.

This gives a whole new perspective on the verse of Scripture in Matthew 5:45, when Jesus says: "... your Father in heaven... causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

If we're living in a dry, barren, and thirsty desert wilderness, would hot sun or refreshing rain be the greatest blessing? Rain of course.

Lord, help us to feel blessed whether we see sunlight beaming through our curtains or we awake to the sound of rain on the window. As our Father in Heaven You know when we need sunlight and when we need showers. Help us to trust you with whatever physical or spiritual weather you cause or even allow in our lives from day-to-day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Grateful