Too Much Rain! By Katha Winther

We've all heard the expressions: "when it rains, it pours" and "intoeveryone's life, a little rain must fall." Once, I told a friend aboutmy various problems and asked, "What else is going to happen?" She toldme that I should never say that. She explained that an acquaintance ofhers had experienced a sequence of problems, and had asked the samequestion. Shortly thereafter, the woman's mother died. So, I won't beasking that question anymore!

Life is filled with both burdens and blessings, isn't it? Sometimesfrustrations and mishaps come all at once.

This week, the plumber spent two hours at our house -- fixing a clog, a while running errands, I came home to find a surprise. Molly (one of our cats) had inadvertently knocked a stopper into the laundry room's washtub, while the washing machine ran a load of clothes. As a result, the washtub plugged up, over-filled, and flooded the litter box sitting underneath. What a mess!

We recently purchased airline tickets to Puerto Rico -- to join our sonand his family. Our connecting flight was to have been in Dallas, butit was cancelled due to the heavy rain. Because it was near July 4th,we couldn't get another flight to suit our needs, and we had to cancelthe whole trip. We then went to plan B, and drove to a lovely beachcommunity for a weekend get-away. The bathroom sink was clogged in ourhotel room, and there were no other rooms available. At check-out time,they tried to overcharge us for the room and also for a meal that wehad not eaten.

When rainy times come, take comfort!

My computer's e-mail went on the fritz and it was days before Idiscovered the problem. Something that I had shut off had turned itselfback on again. My laptop computer developed a problem, too -- itwouldn't accept its password. Because of this, I couldn't get on theinternet or check e-mail messages. I discovered one of my cats(Priscilla) had stepped on the keypad, and had caused the problem.

I was scheduled to sing somewhere and had reconfirmed two days prior tothe event. When I arrived, the parking attendant told me that thesinger had already arrived. As it turned out, the other singer hadshown up on the wrong night ... probably a miscommunication.

Some of these occurrences were frustrating, disappointing anddiscouraging. However, in the grand scheme of things, they were prettyminor. Actually, they were pretty trivial when compared to the problemsgoing on in our world today, including all of that flooding. A lot of
figuratively. When the rainy times and troubles come, let's remember and take comfort in these verses:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose - Romans 8:28

We know these are pleasant sayings to simply hang on our walls, butthey are reassuring messages of God's love because our Father showedHis love and care by sending Jesus to share the rainy days and floodsof our human lives. So take comfort from heaven's promises!

Seeing God in All Things - Melissa Taylor

“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hands upon me" Psalm 139:5

Devotion:
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I was driving home after speaking all day at a women’s conference. The conference had been such a blessing and I was praising God for His faithfulness in showing up in a mighty way. I had the honor of witnessing first hand how God was impacting the lives of women and their families. Needless to say, I was on a God-high and loving every minute of it. God was so present and it was easy to see Him on this day.

During this time of spiritual bliss, I noticed something rather large darting on to the road ahead of me. It was a deer and she was headed for my lane. The traffic was heavy and my car had nowhere to go but to continue straight. I slammed on the brakes trying desperately to stop, but it was useless. At the moment just before impact, I looked into that animal’s big brown eyes. Why, oh why, did she run out into the road like that? My car hit that beautiful creature full force. She was tossed in to the air and landed, lifeless, in the lane next to mine. I cried, “Oh No! I killed a deer!”

Many stopped to see if they could help, but there was nothing anyone could do. Miraculously, my car was not damaged and no one was injured - except the poor deer.

Anytime something bad happens, I try to see God in it all. I had clearly seen Him at the women’s conference that day. Where was He now? Why did this have to happen and ruin my God-filled day?

When I got home, I ran inside to get my husband. I was crying so hard he could hardly understand me. My four children were also home and quickly became concerned for their hysterical mother. I told them the story. First question from my kids: “Is the deer dead?” First question from my husband: “Is the car okay?” They surrounded me with love and reassured me everything would be fine.

Hours later, I was still shaken. My ultra sensitive and loving son, Dylan, noticed this and offered me a Godly perspective on my situation. He said, “Mom, there are many reasons this could’ve happened and none of them are your fault. God has a plan and a purpose for everything, even that deer’s life. Maybe that deer was very sick and God used you to put it out of misery. Or maybe God was protecting the man behind you, so He used your car as a shield. Or maybe God knew that there are many deer, but only one you. He needed you to be my mom today. Mom, whatever God’s reason, it’s not your fault, but you have to trust Him. He was with you the whole time. He never took His eyes off of you or His hand off of your head.”

Oh, will someone pass the tissue please? How is it that a nine year old boy who suffers with anxiety and communication disorders can put this situation in the proper perspective and show me that it’s not about me but about God? I’ll tell you how.

Dylan was looking for God in this sad accident. I wasn’t. It was easy for me to see God in the events at the conference because I was alert, aware, and looking for Him. When tragedy struck, I took my eyes off of Him. Just like Peter trying to walk on water I, took my eyes off of Jesus, and sank.

Do you look for God in all things? Do you see God in all things? I threw my arms around my precious son and thanked him for being the light in my life that day. Then I turned to the Lord and thanked Him, too—for the conference, for my family, for Dylan’s words of wisdom, and for the deer.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, sometimes it’s hard to feel or see Your presence in every aspect of my life, yet I know You are there. Help me to look for You, even when times get tough. Help me to trust You and believe that You are with me every moment of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
The next time you find yourself in an undesirable situation, instead of asking “why me”, thank God for being there with you.

Reflections:
Do believe God is working in your life only when things are good?

Do you thank God for everything that happens to you, good or bad?

Power Verses:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to hHs purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6