After The Rains

This past Friday I sat in the doctor's office listening to the thundering march of rain pounding on the roof. I was called into a separate room for a minor procedure on my right leg. There was signs of reflux where the two veins intersected so the blood was not properly circulating. I was expecting just a quick injection to seal up the problem but that was just part of the treatment.

Perhaps it was best that I didn't fully understand the full process for what turned out to be very long uncomfortable minutes laying on my back staring up at the ceiling. Some seventies or eighties pop music drowned out the sound of the rain and my inner scream to run from the room.

The next day I awoke to the bright morning sun. I was aware of dull throb in my lower right leg as I walked across the living room to open the blinds. The sunlight flooded the room. I took in a deep breath thankful - yesterday was over - and so was the cold miserable dampness from the rain.

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone. (Song of Solomon 2:11, NLT).

Perhaps the Lord wants to tell us the rain is over and gone in our lives. You know the dark clouds of what seems like perpetual sorrow that follows a life littered from tragedies. A death of a loved one. A prodigal son. The pain of a loveless marriage. Or toiling at work never to be recognized or promoted. Family turning against you for your faith in Christ. Church was to be your shelter from the beating rain only to find it leaking with others just as miserable. Their words were to be encouraging but it just deepens the pain and increases your sorrows.

God knows how to turn sorrow into a fertile ground that beauty can spring up out of ashes. And more than that He can turn a mournful cry to a song in the night that signals our deliverance and freedom until we see the morning sun rise!

Blossoms have appeared in the land. The season of songbirds has arrived, and cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.(2:12, NIV).

God knows your tears. It says, "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalms 56:8, NLT).

He promises to transform the tears to shouts of joy.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5 NIV).

God is not angry because you are depressed, sorrowful or overwhelmed with pain. As I did during my surgery I closed my eyes and said, "It hurts Jesus, please hold my hand." Beloved, He will hold your hand like Peter who walked to Him on water. He won't let you drown or go under but will lift you up out of sorrowful seas and speak peace to stop the rain (tears) and angry winds.

The Son of righteousness will shine through you again.