The Blessing of Rain

He covers the sky with clouds; He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. – (Psalm 147:8, NIV)

He fills the sky with clouds. He sends rain to the earth. He makes the grass grow on the mountains. – (Psalm 147:8, ERV)

He fills the sky with clouds, sending showers to water the earth so that grass springs up on the mountain fields and the earth produces food for man. – (Psalm 147:8, TPT)

 

We have been blessed with beautiful weather the last two weeks, which considering our “stay at home” status, has been extra beneficial. There is something about having sunrays streaming in through windows, and the light shining through the burly branches of the evergreen trees in our backyard, that lifts my countenance and bring me joy, simply at the sight of sunshine. This morning, I was almost surprised to see drizzle, darkness and damp, blanketing the scene out back through my kitchen window. At first, I felt my heart sink a little, as I inwardly groaned at the limitations it could cause for our day. After I made a bit of breakfast and sat down with my coffee, I thought it best to turn to the word and remind myself of the reason for rain. The first verse that captured my attention to remind me again of the beauty of rain, was the above-mentioned verse from Psalm 147. Rain is supplied to us to water the earth. It helps grass and crops grow, and where we live, keeps everything beautiful and green. Because rain is abundant in the Northwest, we seldom have to think about watering grass or plants outdoors, as rain takes care of it for us. After the simple reminder, I looked again and noticed how much greener the trees and the grass appear, when freshly covered in rain. Another great thing about rain this morning is that it will wash away the build-up of pollen everywhere. Atop of cars, roads, decks, trees, stoops, and basically anything outdoors, there has been a thick coating of yellow-green dust that clings to everything. One good round of rain clears the pollen and refreshes the air, so that allergy sufferers may breathe more freely, once again. For a bit of humor, my husband just woke and walked upstairs, looked out into the backyard, and said, “Oh man, rain. Really?” I giggled to myself, as I think we had similar hopes of outdoor activities for the day. God is good, and so is the rain. We will take the watering of the earth, the clearing of the pollen, and appreciate all the sunshine that we have had so many days in a row. May we find the good in whatever comes, for God is faithful to provide in every season.

 

When clouds fill the sky,

And the rains do come;

Know they have purpose,

There’s good to be done.

As rain waters earth,

Grass and the crops grow;

Providing for us,

God’s faithfulness shown.

Lord help us recall,

The blessing of rain;

As Your love’s outpoured,

We all stand to gain.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You send Your rain to water the earth and wash away what does not need to remain. Thank You that You do the same for our hearts as we call on You and seek Your guidance in all things. Forgive us for our frustration with things that are much bigger than ourselves, as You have purpose in all things. Teach us to trust You and rely on You to order our days, as You lead us and love us through every sort of weather. Show us how to love those around us in ways that encourage each, so that they come to understand how showered in love they are by You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give Your praise for the rain that waters the earth, and thank You for the sunshine that follows. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. – Leviticus 26:4

Genuine Faith

He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” – (Luke 17:6)

 

Jesus was speaking to his disciples about faith. They were concerned about how much faith they should have to accomplish all that He was asking, yet His response reminded them that it was not about how much faith they had, but rather their need for even a small seed of genuine faith. For a seed of genuine faith, though small, is alive and growing. It will take root and grow. Though almost invisible at first, it will begin to spread, change and ultimately produce major results. We don’t need more faith; a tiny seed of faith is enough, if it is alive and growing. – (NIV footnotes for Luke 17:6) May our small seeds of faith that are actively pursuing God, take root, grow, thrive, and spread to the vast reaching circles of our spheres of influence. Grow our faith, Lord God.

 

What starts as a seed,

so small and unseen;

shall grow when tended,

effects unforeseen.

Our faith shall take root,

in Christ, the Divine;

we are the branches,

and He is the vine.

In the growth process,

our hearts learn to know;

the truth that is certain,

so onward faith grows.

In the assurance,

rooted in the Lord;

we lay hold of faith,

trusting our Adored.

May our tiny seeds,

be genuine, strong;

as we go boldly,

as His, whom belong.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not require us to have giant faith, in order to move, but rather You look for a small seed of genuine faith that is seeking to grow, and You do the miraculous within us. Thank You that You cultivate and nourish the soil and tend the seed of all whom seek to plant themselves in You. Forgive us for neglecting to invest our hearts and minds into matters that allow our faith to grow, and help us to seek You and trust You in all things and at all times. Grow our faith, Lord God. May our small seeds spread into something that touches many. Let us love as You so tenderly love each of us, and may many come to know You as a result. Be glorified, O God, as we go forth in genuine faith. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

For Faith to Flourish

By faith, ordinary people have done extraordinary things throughout human history.  The size of their faith as each individual began, did not matter nearly as much as in Whom their faith was held.  As each one took the next obedient step, His faithfulness was there to meet them, encouraging them to press on and continue to forge forward and further move in faith.  “Faith is total dependence on God and a willingness to do His will.” (NIV footnotes for Luke 17:5,6)

In Luke 17, Jesus and the disciples are having a discussion about forgiveness.  When Jesus informed them of how often we are meant to forgive if a person repents and asks to be forgiven, the disciples then recognized their own need for more faith to do just that.  “The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’  He replied, ‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.” – (vs. 5-6) 

Though a mustard seed is tiny, it grows into one of the largest among plants, with deep roots and vast, far-reaching branches.  The same holds true with faith.  God will take a small speck of genuine faith in Him, and help it take root and grow.  We too, will gain deep roots and be far-reaching, if we whole-heartedly invest in Him.  As we allow Him to prune, water, and tend to the soil of our heart, we grow and take shape that becomes something beyond what we could have envisioned.  Before we even realize our own capacity to reach, He will utilize our faith to touch lives around us.  May we each choose to depend on Him and be willing to do His will.

For faith to grow,

it is not on us;

but by His grace,

as we trust Jesus.

Lean into Him,

and not on our own;

He’ll show the way,

and make the path known.

Spend time with God,

and He will refine;

He shall increase,

so through us, He’ll shine.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that faith is not something we somehow must summon, but rather is what You grow and increase in us as we invest our time getting to know You more.  Thank You that as we depend on You and are willing to do Your will, You meet us where we are, and do far more than we could have imagined.  Forgive us for placing human parameters on You, as You are the God of ALL creation and are capable of ALL things.  Teach us to trust You more, and help us to walk confidently in our faith in You.  Help us to love well, even those who are difficult to love; and may many come to see You, as we walk out our days in faithful surrender to You.  Be glorified, our faithful and loving Lord.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Barren Branches Heavenward

On afternoon drive home,

image by Barbolian Fields

my weary eyes did see,

bright sunlight through branches

of giant barren tree.

Though it was stripped naked,

no bright leaves to adorn.

Every branch reaching up,

true beauty in its form.

It needed not color,

nor covering of snow;

but by reaching upward,

it held promise to grow.

That beautiful image,

my reminder from Him.

There’s power and purpose,

in each season we’re in.

When our leaves fall away,

and before Him we’re bare,

we at last grant access

for Him to offer care.

He’ll bind up the broken,

and trim away what’s dead.

Renew and restore us,

provide our daily bread.

As we raise our hands high,

and too, bask in the Son.

He’ll finish what’s been started,

all battles will be won.

So raise up your branches,

allow the Son to shine.

Receive what He offers,

as He’s calling you “Mine.”

Psalm 29:11 – “The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that there is beauty in every season of our lives – that without the darkness, we would recognize not, nor truly appreciate the power and warmth of Your light.  Thank You that despite what we see or feel, You remain present.  Thank You that it is often through the times that we are stripped bare, that we become the most beautiful in Your eyes, as our arms have no choice but to extend heavenward.  Forgive us for not always recognizing the remarkable in the regular, and help us to see Your purpose for our every time of trial and testing that we walk through.  May we trust in You completely and be bold, knowing that You will be ever beside us as we go where You ask.  Lead us Lord, and may we follow well.  May many come to know You as we walk where You call.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present