Why all this rain?

We had less than five days of sunshine in the month of July. For an area known for blue sky and sunny days, it was odd — and very wet!

My mother often said about the weather (and other things) that “We must need it or we wouldn’t be getting it.” Her philosophy has been part of the reason I’ve learned to look at adversity with the idea that God will use this (and all things) for good in my life. He even says so in His Word. 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

This morning’s devotional reading takes me back to Mom’s words and the weather. Instead of complaining, these verses suggest a different attitude toward all our rain.

You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it; the river of God is full of water; you provide their grain, for so you have prepared it. You water its furrows abundantly, settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth. You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with abundance. The pastures of the wilderness overflow, the hills gird themselves with joy, the meadows clothe themselves with flocks, the valleys deck themselves with grain, they shout and sing together for joy. (Psalm 65:9–13)

While basements flood and some crops are ruined, it could be worse. We  do not live in drought conditions with blowing soil and no vegetation whatsoever. We have plenty of water to drink and most of what is growing is lush and abundant. Our ground is not hard, but soft and productive. This is the blessing of God.

As God crowns each year with bounty and abundance, the psalmist describes the pastures, hills, meadows and valleys coming together as a choir, shouting and singing for joy. I am encouraged by imagining the sound of their “voices” and thinking, If they can do it, I can too.

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Lord, the sun is shining today, and also yesterday and the day before. Yes, there were showers, but instead of resenting all the rain or at least being in dismay at the marshy areas of our yard, I need to look at this as a metaphor for the blessing and abundance of Your goodness. Forgive any grumbling from my lips. May I, like the hills and meadows, shout and sing for joy that You visit my life and enrich it. Your blessings are like a river and my heart is like the once hard ground now softened by the rain showers poured down in love. My mother was right: I need it — I need Your love and blessing — otherwise You would not send it.

(Photo credit)