It's raining today...again..although I want to stop it I just can't. Life has been a blur recently as it's been incredibly busy even with less things to do because of rain! We had almost a full week of no rain and sun and were able to get 313 bales of hay in our barn which always makes me feel so much better and less stressed....still need another 100 or so so hoping for some cooperative weather. Then there's a hyper, destructive dog I'm taking care of for a cousin....I normally Love dogs but this one sure knows how to try one's patience...still it's better than jury duty! Still...try telling my chewed up dog kennel (yes she eats wire) and dog house that! Still lots to be thankful for around here and many jobs getting done including cleaning out the barn! I really do have loads to be thankful for!!! And I do realize that it's not proper to use prepositions to end your sentences with! ;)
With all this rain pouring down, it reminds me of what life pours out on us.....some good, some bad or course, but how does one keep from becoming overwhelmed? Sometimes I feel like I'm being washed away and I feel so drained. So tired of being rained on day after day with trial after test that it can make me feel depressed...how can one light a fire with all the rain?! ie. How can one shine the Light of Jesus when one is constantly getting rained on? Even when it stops raining, I'm only dry for awhile until the next rain comes! In other words, life is never going to quit raining down problems on me until I get to be with Jesus.
There are ways of building shelters from all this rain.....or we could say ways of becoming less overwhelmed: 1. Prayer. Cast all your cares upon Jesus for He cares for you! 2. Read God's word and do it....Don't just look at it. 3. Realize that you need God. Don't try to do it yourself.
I read recently a little booklet on why does God allow us (refers to Christians) to suffer? Honestly it never seemed fair to me that those who do their own thing succeed/have fun and those who follow Christ seem to struggle or just get by! I was looking from my point of view too since I was really struggling with some things....Anyways, it mentions in the Bible that God gives struggles to those He Loves! What? Why? Because He wants us to Grow! How many times I've grown in the last year because of these struggles!!! I could get more in depth here but if you are indeed struggling and looking for answers....I would suggest you look to Christ and do that list up above. A father will discipline his children because he wants them to become good citizens and be successful. This is true with our Heavenly Father as well. He wants us to become His children and grow in Him.
hmmm...sometimes I wonder how many lessons I still gotta learn!
So whether you are dancing and singing praise to Jesus in the rain today or feeling like you've bought a one way ticket to suffering springs, I hope you can look up to the Son because He's coming soon and He wants YOU!!! Yes even when you and I are drenched with problems and sinking in head high suffering. Go to Jesus!! (Again I'm talking to myself in these blogs)
I realize maybe I didn't answer that question of "How can one shine the Light of Jesus when one is constantly getting rained on?" very clearly. Guess I'm still pondering that....even in the rain you can start a fire if you can get a piece of wood to catch...so my quick thoughts are keep being persistent with that fire until you get someone else to catch...doesn't matter if it's the 1,042nd person you try in one day that catches a little bit of that "Praise Jesus!"...keep trying to shine till you die and then..well then you'll be Heaven and you'll never stop hearing or saying "Praise Jesus!" :)
