We have had uncanny amounts of rain over the last couple of weeks, but it\u2019s Sunday and it\u2019s gorgeous outside. The sun is shining brightly and the landscape seems greener than ever! But, I know there are those who still have rain and storms in their lives. I remember feeling that way when we received a deadly diagnosis when my baby girl was so sick and then later when my husband\u2019s diagnosis was grim. I remember thinking: \u201cHow can people be all “sunny” around me when I am hurting so much for those I love so much?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The raindrops here came with thunder, lightning, and golf-ball-sized hail. One of my neighbor\u2019s car had $7K of damages from the hail. Rain AND all it can bring isn\u2019t a blessing — or is it? I\u2019ve found out, and you probably have, too, that many times in life, blessings do come from raindrops. Over the course of my life, I\u2019ve learned that instead of focusing on the rain, if I measured the blessings by the raindrops that came, I would be overwhelmed with blessings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laura Story wrote a song entitled \u201cWhat If Blessings Come from Raindrops?\u201d The song is based on the incredible blessings she had as a Grammy award-winning songwriter and recording artist. The faith Laura sang about was put to the test when her husband was on breathing machines after brain tumor surgery. She said, \u201cI spent my whole life singing, \u2018Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,\u2019 but until Jesus took me through something where my only option was to trust Him, I didn\u2019t really know that sweetness. It\u2019s hard to understand why God would allow us to go through this, but I know He works all things together for good. When He leads us through valleys, we get to trust Him and draw closer to Him more. Though I\u2019ve doubted, His grasp has never released, never slipped. He\u2019s remained completely faithful to me. He has proven that He really is my foundation and my hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She went on: \u201cI\u2019d like to tell those going through tough times, \u2018God will fix your situation\u2019, but He just may not fix it. Scripture doesn\u2019t promise we\u2019ll understand everything while we\u2019re on this side of heaven, but it does tell us about the broken things in this life will find their greater purpose in His redemption story. God promises there is a purpose for the pain we\u2019re going through. He promises He\u2019s doing something greater when we don\u2019t understand it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can vouch for what Laura said. I had to give reasons for the hope and peace that I had during my husband\u2019s illness and his graduation to heaven. People asked me, \u201cHow can you have so much joy?\u201d Like Laura, I said, \u201cMy joy is found in Jesus. It\u2019s not found in my circumstances. I can\u2019t guarantee things will get better. But I can guarantee I\u2019m going to get better. Life isn\u2019t all good, but God promises He will work it ALL together FOR GOOD for those who love Him. (Romans 8:28).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I urge you to listen to this beautiful song, written and sung by Laura. It\u2019s 10-years-old but the song is as relevant for us today as it was when she wrote it through her toughest season. Perhaps it\u2019s a \u201crainy\u201d season in your world today. This song may give you the encouragement you need to realize that though it might be raining, God\u2019s plans include the SUN shining again and you will come back stronger, wiser, and more joy-filled if you let Him fill you up with His goodness and mercy. What if trials of this life are His mercies in disguise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n