Yesterday I mentioned that we were experiencing some rain during the night and as I talked with campers later in the day, I was surprised by the different attitudes that were conveyed.
Although we have had rain each day for the last couple of weeks, a night rain has been uncommon. In the daylight, kids go out and play in the rain, splash in the puddles and folks can sit under their canopies and play cards and drink hot cocoa. There’s an enjoyment to it.
But a night rain in the campground can bring a different emotion.
How long will it last? You can’t see the sky – there’s no playing outside because it’s dark. It’s unanticipated, unexpected. It either brings a sense of adventure or a sense of dread especially for the tent campers.
Most of the campers I spoke with welcomed the rain. A few even said that the sound of the rain on their tents was soothing. They weren’t going to let a little loss of sleep keep them from enjoying the days they had left of their camping trip.
But some got grumpy and were packing up to head home, a day or two early. They were tired of the rain. “We’re going home, even if it is 110”.
Attitude.
We each have the opportunity to control our attitudes or have them control us. Do we let the unexpected cancel or thwart our plans or do we move forward with a sense of adventure?
This morning I wanted to find a Scripture to encourage you with when you are facing the unexpected rain showers of life. I know I’ve read these verses before but this morning they seemed to have a deeper sense of meaning.
“Skies, listen and I will speak. Earth, hear the words of my mouth. 2 My teachings will come like the rain, like a mist falling to the ground, like a gentle rain on the soft grass, like rain on the green plants. 3 Praise God as I speak the Lord’s name! 4 “The Lord is the Rock, and his work is perfect! Yes, all his ways are right! God is true and faithful. He is good and honest.” Deuteronomy 32:1-4 ERV
Moses spoke these words to the Israelites shortly before his death. He had been through many experiences of God’s faithfulness as he led them from Egypt to the Promised Land. There had been good times and great challenges, times of victory and times of rebellion. But God had always been faithful to His word.
At the end of his life, his commitment had not changed. His attitude was established, undeterred. He praised the Lord for His perfect work, for His ways always being right, for being true, faithful, honest and good.
Moses said that the teachings the Lord had him record should fall on their lives like rain – rain that would nourish and cause them to grow, grow in their relationship with the Lord.
A heart attitude of gratitude.
“ …I will cause the rains to fall at the right time and will shower them with blessings.” Ezekiel 34:26 ERV
Don’t let the showers of life anger you or make you grumpy. Let them cause you to grow. They will be showers of blessing.