God sends the rain
To bless my soul,
To cleanse my heart,
And make me whole;
My Father knows,
When I’m in pain,
Just what I need—
He sends the rain.

Rain is soothing to me. I love to sit outside on the front porch and listen to the patter of the drops distilling through the leaves of the trees and spattering on the sidewalk. I love how everything looks fresh and clean after a shower.

Thunder and lightning is a different story. It makes me jump and scream, for I’ve seen both a man and a dog get struck by lightning, and I don’t want to be next. When lightning strikes, I go inside and stay away from windows. And if I have no choice but to be out, every step is bathed in prayer for protection.

Aren’t you glad our Father knows just what we need, just when we need it? He washes us clean, He calms our spirits, but He also sends the occasional storms that drive us back inside, close to Him.

Psalm 83:15-16  So persecute them with Your tempest, and make them afraid with Your storm. Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek Your name, O LORD.

Isaiah 4:2-6  In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and splendid… And it shall come to pass, that he… shall be called holy… When the Lord shall have washed away the filth… And there shall be a tabernacle… for a shelter from storm and from rain.

Notice that the Lord does not stop the rain, for we need it. But He provides a shelter from the rain. Isn’t God good!

Written for the Five Minute Friday prompt: RAIN.

Photo taken in Pensacola, FL, Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in the wake of Tropical Storm Gordon