Month: June 2020

Whisper Through the Rain

Posted on by Paula
Whisper Through the Rain
Whisper Through the Rain

Once again, I heard the sweet whisper through the rain. I was out driving late one night when the familiar words started playing over the radio, “I was sure by now, God you would have reached down, and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen, and it’s still raining….”

My mind took me back to where I stood listening to the same song at the Casting Crowns concert years ago. Tears streamed down my face as I sang along in the dark crowded room. For the first time ever, I felt compelled to raise my hands in worship as the song continued, “As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain, ‘I’m with you.’ And as your mercy falls, I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away….”

Raising my hands in worship was something that I was not used to or had ever been comfortable with, as it was not practiced in my church home. However, as I thought about my current storm that had lasted for many, many years, I could so relate as I sang along, “But once again, I say amen, and it’s still raining.”

I desperately wanted the rain to stop, and I didn’t understand why God didn’t “reach down & save the day.” But I had learned through the storm that God was my only hope. He was the only one who could fix it, and through it all, He was whispering, “I’m with you.”

I couldn’t help but raise my hands as my heart surrendered to the fact that in this storm, God was still God. And though I was tired of fighting, I would continue to look to Him and praise Him…even if the storm never ended.

That particular storm finally did calm down for a while, but it still pops up and rages from time-to-time. The thing that God has taught me though, is that He is always with me no matter what is going on in me or around me. I have learned that He is the only One that I can always count on, and that I should never try to let anyone else take His place as my Rock.

I have endured many other storms besides that one. Some were shorter but more intense. I’m sure there will be worse ones yet to come.

God doesn’t promise to keep us free from trouble. In fact, Jesus says in John 16:33, “…In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Whatever storm you are going through, I hope that you can quiet your heart and hear God’s gentle whisper through the rain; He is with you, and He is working out his very best.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).

Here’s a link to Casting Crown’s “Praise You in This Storm.” I hope that you can hear God whispering to your heart and that you can sing along.

Prepared

Posted on by Paula
I was not prepared
I was not prepared

I wasn’t prepared for the email I received from my boss that Monday morning back in April. The subject line read, “Please join this Zoom meeting in progress.” To say I was panicked would be an understatement.

Because of the Covid-19 threat and our “shelter in place” orders, the staff in our office had been told in March to start working from home as much as possible. I was very well-prepared for this. My files are all accessible online, and most of my job as a Pastoral Care Associate can be done from my cell phone and laptop.

I had already been faithfully working for hours that day. However, I went straight to work that morning IN MY PAJAMAS. I was not prepared for a video chat.

You might be thinking to yourself that I could have just thrown on a shirt and joined the meeting. But, being in my pajamas also meant that I hadn’t put my makeup on, and this lady DOES NOT make public appearances without her makeup on.

There was no time to get myself ready. I ran around until I found a gift sack. I tried putting it over my head, but it was too small. What could I do?!

I finally found a pink paper plate and cut out two slits just large enough to see through. I drew on a smile, pretending that all was well. Prideful? Yes! Childish? Absolutely! I was the product of desperation.

I hurried as fast as I could, but by the time I clicked the link to the meeting, it was invalid. I was too late.

I was reminded the next night when our family was reading in Matthew 24-25, of another important meeting that every single one of us is going to be called into one day. Jesus was talking about a day when He will return. He said that He will return at a time when we don’t expect it. Those He finds living for Him will be welcomed to spend eternity with Him in heaven, but those who are caught off guard will be sent into eternal punishment.

With the Covid 19 pandemic, the rioting, the political upset and everything that our nation has been experiencing as a result, I have heard comments that “the end is near.” We cannot know for sure when Jesus will return, but we should be living as if it could be any minute. Are you prepared? Are you living for Him and sharing the hope of the Gospel with those around you who are not prepared? One day, it will be too late.