Rain

Don't you love a good rainstorm? Well, I suppose that would not be a good question if you were from New Orleans or North Carolina or even Florida or Washington. For the Mid-West, it is a welcome relief to several 90 degree days. Everything was getting dry and dusty again. So a good thunderstorm and a nice gentle rain has been a great thing to hear for the last two nights.

Of course, this morning there are wrecks all over the St. Louis area roads. And then, my husband worries and frets that Maleah and Ryan won't make it to work. And then, just as I comfort him to make him understand that the reason I don't call Maleah or Ryan at a time like this is because IF they are late, I do not want to make them later by taking their time on the phone; and if they are on the road, the cell phone is a distraction and I do not want to complicate an already dangerous situation. Whew......ok....I am not a good mother! Then, I go upstairs only to hear from Grandma, who does little but watch the TV and report every BAD thing she hears!(Hello!!!! Has anyone seen much GOOD news reported?) She said, "Have you talked to the kids? There is a big tractor trailer over-turned on the way to Cuba, right where Casey has to travel!AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACalgon, take me away!! Does anyone ever just pray about these things and trust the Lord that He is in control.

Have you ever thought about prayer deeply? I wonder some times just what I am saying to God(forget that He knows my deepest thoughts anyway)when I am constantly reminding Him of things He already knows about. And, who am I to try to tell HIM what to do about any given situation. Don't you think it is better to just thank Him that He is in control of the situation and to ask Him to give me peace and joy no matter what the situation is.

I am drowning over here in a sea of despair and depression!!! All around me people are saying there is no hope....."YOU just don't think" they say.......

This drives me to deeper thinking. Am I just able to keep thinking about the good things and cover what the truth is???? I DON"T THINK SO!!!!!! I think that thinking about the good is a command of God!

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

I Peter 5:7-11 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you,
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. AMEN!"

And, Paul says to the Romans in chapter 16 and the latter part of verse 19: "...I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil."

My third phone call from Mike, who has not gotten to his 8:00 appointment yet and it is 8:32...Lord, please give him the peace he needs to deal with this day. Quieten his spirit and help him cope with the burden he puts on himself. Thank You that he continues to do his job even when his spirit is down!

I do love that man! The same personality that causes him to be a worry-wart, also gives him the ability to paint a very beautiful landscape and to see many things in this world that I would have never seen if he had not pointed them out! So, thank you, Lord! You brought me out of a horrible pit once more!!