Handling Showers in Life

You have often heard the statement, “April showers bring May flowers.”  The ultimate goal in this expression is the loveliness of spring flowers that enhance the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.  By the same token, the beauty of springtime flowers only appears after the showers have come.  “Showers” or “rain” implies the absence of the sun and suggests something dreary or dismal.  However, there are a lot of positive aspects about rain.  Rain brings refreshment.  It cleanses.  It purges.  It brings nourishment to the thirsty land.  As a result, lots of good comes out of something that has even the smallest hint of negativism.

You will remember that in the Bible the Apostle Paul had what he called a “thorn in the flesh.”  Whatever that was, to him it was negative and he wanted to rid himself of it.  He says,  “To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me” (II Corinthians 12:7-8).  He didn’t want the “thorn” but God gave it to him anyway.  God’s response to him was that into each life some rain must fall.  Some negative is not all bad.  Paul went on to explain God’s response to his request.  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (II Corinthians 12:9).

His negative situation – even though it contained “showers”, “rain” or “pain” – would become a positive experience because God would be exceedingly sufficient for him through it.  God’s power would be shown through Paul’s weakness.  Alice Hansche Mortenson penned a poem which helps us understand how some of the “showers”, “thorns” or “pain” that we go through can lead to things that are positive.  She writes,

Though prayers for healing seemed in vain, God helped me learn to live with pain;

To use the very thing I dread for closer walk with Him instead;
And how to lend a listening ear to those who hurt and shed a tear
Of sympathy, or press their hand—worth more because I understand.
Dear God, if that’s the only way You’d have me serve from day to day,
Please use this tiny cross of pain for others and for Heaven’s gain!

Maybe God wants to use the “showers”, “rain” or “pain” in your life in order to show His greatness and His glory.  Remember, God will be totally sufficient for you as you give yourself completely to Him. 

Breath-taking Beauty

The grandeur of the Alps is something that cannot be contained in words or even pictures – although we have several pictures form a recent trip to Europe.  On a cloudy day it was impossible to see much of Mt. Pilatus from the base of the mountain not far from the town of Lucerne, Switzerland.  However, we decided to ride on cable cars up two levels and a gondola the final level for a fun experience.  As we neared the top of the mountain we emerged from the clouds to a beautiful sunny day.  The majesty of God’s creation was unmistakable.  The experience was a great reminder that “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1).  Our response after returning to Lucerne was similar to the words the psalmist used to conclude the Psalm, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

 

An Attitude of Gratiude

How often do express your gratitude to your family, to your friends, or to your God?  Does it take the turning of the calendar to the month of November and the Thanksgiving season to remind you to give thanks?  Or, is your expression of gratitude a regular part of your action on a consistent basis throughout the year?  It only takes a few seconds to say “thank you” when someone does something for you or gives something to you.  It only takes a few minutes to write a card of thanks and place it in the mail.  Showing appreciation does much for you as well as for the person receiving the expression of gratitude.

All too often we take for granted the service that is done for us whether it is a gesture, a gift, or an action taken to help us.  When we express our thanks – to friends or family – it makes the service or action taken so much more pleasurable.  It tells the giver of the gift or action that what he or she has done is appreciated.  So often, things that are done around the house or at work are taken for granted.   Taking the extra seconds or minutes to express your thanks propels everyone toward more willing service and action. 

Surveys have shown that the biggest reason people quit jobs is that they don’t feel appreciated.  Could feeling unappreciated also apply to fractured marriage relationships, weakened ties between friends, distance experienced between family members, and separation from God?  All of us would do well to determine that we are going to cultivate an attitude of gratitude on a regular basis – and then take action to express thanks to others immediately.   “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:18).