The Rightness 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 the grass springs up on the mountain fields and the earth produces food for man. – (Psalm 147:8, TPT)

This morning, as I peered out into the darkness and let my pup out to take care of business, I was shocked to see the ground saturated from rain, after the last few weeks of sunshine. For a moment, my heart sank a bit, as I had a minute of mourning at the passing of such sweet sunny days. Once I caught the delightful aroma of the cleansing rain, I was reminded that the change is actually a good thing, as the rain waters the earth, and it also cleanses the pollen from the air. Though I prefer the sunshine, the rain too, serves a positive purpose and is good. God gives us both, for each has a benefit to behold. New growth is necessary and good, and the sun grants light and energy to foster the growing that takes place when water has been supplied. Each new season is the same for us. We may grow fond of the season we find ourselves in, yet change is good as it challenges us to keep growing. May we seek the Lord and give Him thanks for each new season as it comes, and praise God for how He provides all that we need to be nourished and to continue to grow.

As the rains fall down,

And waters the earth;

All things are prepared,

For growth and new birth.

Cleansing refreshment,

His blessings supplied;

The changing seasons,

As grace is applied.

So, let the rains come,

Praise God for the new;

Water for our souls,

As His love shines through.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithful rain that waters the earth and causes new to grow. Thank You for the blessings beheld in each new season. Forgive us for our frustration with change, for change is exactly what is used to grow us more like You. Teach us to lean into You and give You thanks for all things new, for You are present and good to lead us through. Show us how to love those around us like a refreshing rain, so that all may be nourished to grow. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the cleansing rain that falls to refresh and bring new growth. Amen.

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

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His Name’s sake. – Psalm 23:3

New Feathers

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – (Isaiah 40:31, NIV)

But those who trust in the Lord will become strong again. They will be like eagles that grow new feathers. They will run and not get weak. They will walk and not get tired. – (Isaiah 40:31, ERV)

But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles. They will run – never winded, never weary. They will walk – never tired, never faint. – (Isaiah 40:31, VOICE)

 

This morning, this verse has extra meaning for me. A few weeks ago, as I was getting mom ready for bed and she was very tired, she randomly said something about her feathers. I looked at her a little funny, and asked about her plumage. We both giggled, and she shook her head and said it was not what she was trying to say. However, looking at the ERV translation, perhaps she knew exactly what she was saying in her exhausted state. As she is healing and new neurological pathways are rebuilding, it is as if she is growing new feathers to fly. Her “feathers” are the key to restored strength to walk and move and reengage in the activities she longs to do once again. God is faithful, and I think He has a great sense of humor. We laugh often, even in the challenges of all of this. Each day I witness new strength and resolve, where new “feathers” are sprouting.

Yesterday was a wonderful day in every way. My Viking is here, and rather than just relax and visit, he worked tirelessly to assure that mom’s sprinkler system was back up and in working order. He trouble-shot and discovered issues we were not even aware existed. Incredibly, had he not, there could have been major issues with the hillside. Additionally, mom’s middle older brother and his wife came for a visit. We all shared dinner together, and a couple of rounds of a family favorite game. It was wonderful to watch the hearts of each of the two siblings soar in the presence of one another. Each one needed the reassurance of the other, to see that the other was okay, and was going to press on and persevere in faith. The two are in town a few more days, so we anticipate another visit or two prior to their return trip home. (I think being surrounded by the love of family encourages feather growth as well.) May we ever trust in the One who is our Source of strength, as He gives us feathers to fly; endurance to run without growing weary and perseverance to walk and not grow faint.

 

Lord, You are our strength,

When weariness comes;

You form new feathers,

With each rising sun.

You help us to run,

Without growing tired;

To keep pressing on,

Ever inspired.

You are strength to walk,

When steps seem too much;

You hold out Your hand,

Grant Your loving touch.

Lord, help us rise up,

In the strength You give;

With new-found feathers,

Fly free and choose live.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we trust in You, we become strong again. Thank You that You renew our strength, granting fresh endurance and resolve to rise up and press on to all that You call us to do. Forgive us for our frustration and lack of perseverance when things don’t go the way we think they ought to go. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would ever seek You for strength, direction, and peace. Show us how to embrace the new “feathers” You are growing in us so that we may rise up and soar. Lead us to love those around us in a way that encourages, strengthens and supports others as they press on toward the prize to which You have called them. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in You to be our strength forever. Amen.

 

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

 

Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You. – Psalm 9:10

Growing Good

Large cypress trees will grow where there were thorn bushes. Myrtle trees will grow where there were weeds. All this will happen to make the Lord known, to be a permanent reminder of His goodness and power. – (Isaiah 55:13, ERV)

In place of the thorn the cypress will grow; in place of the nettle the myrtle will grow. This will attest to the Lord’s stature, an enduring reminder that won’t be removed. – (Isaiah 55:13, CEB)

Prickly thorns and nasty briers will give way to luxurious shade trees, sweet and good. And they’ll remind you of the Eternal One and how God can be trusted absolutely and forever. – (Isaiah 55:13, VOICE)

 

Just as God promised to replace the harsh and harmful places with those that are beneficial and blessed, He does the same in the lives of those who place their trust in Him. It takes little to look back and discover the spaces within our own hearts and lives where God has taken the things that brought harm and redeemed us with His blessings that overflow and offer good to those around us. God is faithful, and each place where we see new growth of good, we have a lasting reminder of His goodness and power – both in us and for us forever. May we seek the Lord and His everlasting love, as He is the One who brings new growth of good where destructive and harmful things once stood.

 

In place of the thorns, 

God will grow new good;

As we see Him move,

His heart’s understood.

This amazing grace,

That makes broken new;

Shows with great power,

That His word is true.

For as bad gives way,

To new, good and sweet;

The Lord is made known,

Our sacred retreat.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that where dead and destructive things once grew, You have brought new that is good and beneficial. Thank You that in every space where You have turned the harmful into good, we have an enduring reminder of Your goodness and power. Forgive us for our frustration and fearfulness of the prickly and nasty spaces – both inside and out. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would rely on You to be our strength in the pruning process, and our guide to navigate through the new. Show us how to love others well, so that we may be reminders of Your faithfulness forever. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we keep our eyes and hearts open to be aware of the good that You are growing in and around us. Amen.

 

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

 

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Change

Change. We resist it. Often despise it. Yet, it is an inevitable part of our existence.

One of the changes that I embrace with open arms, is the change in nature that occurs each fall. The splendid display found among the phenomenal foliage is a breathtaking reminder of just how remarkable our Redeemer really is. Flaming reds, brilliant yellows, and outrageous oranges seem to escape through the soft and subtle greens. I am awestruck at the process that something that starts out so simple and small, transforms and becomes something so brilliant, bold and beautiful.

Like the leaves that go from bud in need of nourishment, to something that sprouts, flowers, bears fruit, changes color, falls to fly free, dances fearlessly while allowing its radiance to be seen, then returns to the earth, ready to now nourish the next year’s new growth – we too, are transformed and go through seasons. There are times when we are all but hidden in the shadow of His wings, while He is growing in us, something new. However, there comes a time when He calls us to let His radiance be known – to sing, to dance, to speak, to live out loud in such a way, that the beauty that He has birthed in us, is fully seen. We are meant to proudly pirouette as His wind carries us, and not to fear the fall. Wherever we land, our experience will be used to help nourish new growth.

Brilliant the colors

dancing in the breeze;

showing their splendor,

the leaves on the trees.

As wind grants them flight,

proud they pirouette;

fearing not landing,

in flight, they’re content.

When at last they land,

their purpose not done;

they will now nourish,

the new life begun.

(Responding to I Peter 1:3-9 and the beauty of His hand in the Northwest)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the Author and Perfector of change. Thank You that in You, we need not fear the new. Thank You that You are constantly bringing about change in us, so that we may more clearly reflect Your radiance to the world around us. Teach us to know when we are to stay hidden, and when we are meant to step out boldly in the new that You are calling us into. Forgive us for fearing the fall, and help us to embrace the winds of Your change, so that we may simply hold on and allow You to carry us wherever You are calling. May we move when You say move, and may many come to know Your glory through our willingness to love as You have loved us. Amen.

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

A Moment to Marvel

Such a long Sabbath

image by Kat Kutash

for us to have to wait.

The hours dragged on,

since our Savior’s fate.

We watched Him hanging,

in aguish and pain;

our Healer and Lord,

how will He now reign?

We have our spices,

to anoint our King.

What about the rock?

We can’t move that thing.

At our arrival,

the shock and surprise.

The stone rolled away,

the sight for our eyes.

Empty was the tomb,

except white-robed man,

who said, “He has risen,

it is all in His plan.”

He said to go tell,

yet silent we stayed;

trembling, bewildered,

frozen and afraid.

How could such sorrow,

become bountiful joy?

The weight of our weeping,

fuel hope to employ.

(Responding to Mark 16:1-8)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the remarkable reminder of the hope we have in You.  As the days grow longer and the temperatures begin to rise, the tangible signs of spring and of new life and new growth are excellent reminders of that which is always at the ready and available in You.  Forgive us for allowing the darkness around us to eclipse Your amazing light, and help us to be ever aware and in tune with Your permanent presence that is not dependant on time, place, nor conditions.  Teach us to be truly intentional in our time with You, and may many be blessed and brought into relationship with You as a result of our obedience.  Be glorified in all that we say and do today and always.  Amen.

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