It’s been hot. Not just hot but I mean really hot. When we came home in the evening at about 10 pm, it was still 91 degrees. No wind, no breeze, just hot, still air. They’ve told us the rains are coming. We believe them but it’s not made the days any cooler. And so, every day as we watch the clouds fill but never release their bounty we remember the words, ‘the rains are coming.’
Lately, the thunder has begun to roll and rumble in the distance. The locals say ‘it’s raining somewhere.’ And it’s true: someone is getting blessed with rain. Not us, not for today anyway. But yet, it is true – the rains are coming.
We walk up the dusty red roads and wish rain would wet down our path. But not today for our day of rain has not yet come. Some days in my soul I cry for rain. The other evening it was too hot to sleep and so I walked out onto the veranda with my mp3 player. I listened to ‘let it rain’ over and over but this time I was not asking for raindrops to fall. I was asking for the rains of heaven to flood my soul. It seems hot and dusty in my soul. The joy of salvation seems to be covered with a dusty veil of exhaustion and discouragement. I need to shower in His rain.
The service yesterday was such a blessing. Rev Okoro gave a message I have preached myself many times. But this day I was not giving, I was receiving. As a pastor here, you give much. I needed this day to receive. God ministered to my soul. I wept through much of the service. My tears were showering my soul. I was to be able to assist in serving communion to the 3000 in attendance. Dry and thirsty souls being refreshed by the body and blood of Jesus. What a gift.
Yesterday I watched the clouds once again fill with rain. And then it happened. I saw the branches of the palm trees start to move. They began to sway in a breeze – a breeze that was cooler than before. The clouds began moving. The thunder began to roll but it was rolling toward me, not away from me. I watched lightning flash again and again. I smelled the air. Did I dare believe it was coming? Can my heart watch another man receive his rain as I stand parched and believing for my own? At that moment I heard the rain begin to fall. I looked out on the street and everyone walking home from their long day of selling on the streets began to walk more slowly. We were all caught in a moment in time. Some stood still and looked into the heavens, like me. Some of us were sooooo ready for the rain.
The skies opened. Those clouds that I watch every day filling with water were now opening over our heads. It rained like I have never seen before. Children ran into the streets and danced in the rain. Eli ran out into the street and played soccer in the mud with the children nearby. Some just stood and showered – shaking their heads and opening their mouths to receive all they could. And then, as quickly as it started, it stopped. The muddy roads were running red with water. People were walking up to their ankles on the sides of the roads. A gift from heaven so welcomed and received.
I woke today and like yesterday, it’s hot.
It’s hot – yes, but – the drought is over. Thank you, Jesus.
Lately, the thunder has begun to roll and rumble in the distance. The locals say ‘it’s raining somewhere.’ And it’s true: someone is getting blessed with rain. Not us, not for today anyway. But yet, it is true – the rains are coming.
We walk up the dusty red roads and wish rain would wet down our path. But not today for our day of rain has not yet come. Some days in my soul I cry for rain. The other evening it was too hot to sleep and so I walked out onto the veranda with my mp3 player. I listened to ‘let it rain’ over and over but this time I was not asking for raindrops to fall. I was asking for the rains of heaven to flood my soul. It seems hot and dusty in my soul. The joy of salvation seems to be covered with a dusty veil of exhaustion and discouragement. I need to shower in His rain.
The service yesterday was such a blessing. Rev Okoro gave a message I have preached myself many times. But this day I was not giving, I was receiving. As a pastor here, you give much. I needed this day to receive. God ministered to my soul. I wept through much of the service. My tears were showering my soul. I was to be able to assist in serving communion to the 3000 in attendance. Dry and thirsty souls being refreshed by the body and blood of Jesus. What a gift.
Yesterday I watched the clouds once again fill with rain. And then it happened. I saw the branches of the palm trees start to move. They began to sway in a breeze – a breeze that was cooler than before. The clouds began moving. The thunder began to roll but it was rolling toward me, not away from me. I watched lightning flash again and again. I smelled the air. Did I dare believe it was coming? Can my heart watch another man receive his rain as I stand parched and believing for my own? At that moment I heard the rain begin to fall. I looked out on the street and everyone walking home from their long day of selling on the streets began to walk more slowly. We were all caught in a moment in time. Some stood still and looked into the heavens, like me. Some of us were sooooo ready for the rain.
The skies opened. Those clouds that I watch every day filling with water were now opening over our heads. It rained like I have never seen before. Children ran into the streets and danced in the rain. Eli ran out into the street and played soccer in the mud with the children nearby. Some just stood and showered – shaking their heads and opening their mouths to receive all they could. And then, as quickly as it started, it stopped. The muddy roads were running red with water. People were walking up to their ankles on the sides of the roads. A gift from heaven so welcomed and received.
I woke today and like yesterday, it’s hot.
It’s hot – yes, but – the drought is over. Thank you, Jesus.
RSS Feed