...“He will send the rains in their proper seasons…” Deuteronomy 11:14
We have been walking under the darkness of cloud cover these past few years. Storms, some more violent and destructive than others have shaken us. But God has been in every one; He has never abandoned us to them. And the darkness has only served to make His presence all the brighter, His voice, His declaration of love all the more clear. Like with Job of old, it has been a season, a season of loss, hardship, wondering, waiting. But God remains great and good. He is faithful to His word. His peace is as powerful as I allow it to be, always bringing a calm, confident assurance in the messy moments, that the gentle rains of summer are coming, rains that revive and refresh and restore. And my soul waits and longs for it.
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I am flooded with reasons I love this holiday. I have always found it interesting that a day to officially recognize the need and provide the opportunity to express thanks and gratitude was established amidst the division and agony of war. It would not seem to be the best time to stop and acknowledge God or give thanks. Some might find it hard in that desperate time to find much to give God thanks for. But it was established...a day set aside to bring attention to the fact that being grateful matters. It changes things. It changes us. Sadly for many it has become nothing more than “turkey day” to eat and watch football. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy all the food associated with it myself. I live for a turkey sandwich all year. And the time with family relaxing and enjoying a game, especially if the family team is playing, is always a riotous and fun time. But it’s deeper and more meaningful than that. And we always purposefully and intentionally appreciate and reflect, focusing on God and the good. This year is no different. Even in difficult days there is much to be thankful for.
I lost my Daddy in September. I knew one day I would face it, but for it to come so unexpectedly without sickness or warning, it was tough. But in the hurt and loss Jesus was so close and real. He still is. He is in each sleepless night with quiet comfort and reassurance as memories overwhelm me. This year I am especially remembering how blessed I have always been to be “my daddy’s girl”. Jesus has been in the prayers and hugs and kind words and visits and gifts of so many that let themselves be used by God to share in my grief. My heart nearly bursts with gratitude to think of the close friends that went out of their way, hundreds of miles, to just be there when I was hurting, and even literally “helped me breathe” when I didn’t think I could. Jesus was in it all. Relationships were strengthened and renewed as cousins, aunts, uncles, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends came together to comfort and console and celebrate. We grieved, but we celebrated! And Daddy would have loved it! He was now with his Savior in heaven. And his family was all together. It was a beautiful thing.
What are you experiencing that is making it hard for you to be grateful? My season of waiting is not over. The “hits just keep coming” a friend has said, considering with me the situations that keep surfacing. But they know and I know...God’s grace is amazing. His peace is powerful. His joy springs up and brings with it a song, and strength to keep waiting, keep trusting, keep resting in His great love. Sometimes I just need to be reminded that a bigger purpose and plan is at work in this universe and God is in charge. What about you? We have a tendency to be so self-focused rather than God-focused. What is God trying to accomplish in your life right now? Can you trust your Savior, our great God to bring beauty from your brokenness? Can you in faith trust a plan greater than your existence... His plan, that He may not be explaining right now? Did Job ever know that all his suffering was orchestrated by satan to attempt to prove something to God? Nothing in Scripture indicates that God ever revealed to Job while in his earthly existence why he experienced what he did. And I am sure we will be astonished at the secrets that unfold in heaven about our own lives and why God allowed or did not allow certain things.
In the meantime, lift your hearts in grateful praise to Jesus the Giver and Sustainer of life. Don’t focus on the negatives, on the loss, on the hurt. Find the beauty and blessing in each moment. Keep the upward and eternal focus. Keep looking to Jesus. Keep an ever thankful heart.
And remember, the gentle rains of summer are coming.
