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I didn’t notice the couple sitting outside as my husband and I wheeled our suitcases up the winding path toward our condominium unit we rented for a four- night stay on the south shore of the island of Kauai.
A booming voice rang out before we hit the turn, “Hey, you guys look dry!”
We stopped and looked over and ended up engaging in conversation with the kind couple for a good ten minutes, although we were anxious to get to our space, unpack, and walk – 6 hours on the plane was long! They explained that a couple of hours earlier there had been a downpour of rain. We had visited the island ten years prior, so we were aware that the possibility of rain on our desired sunbreak was possible.
Seventy five percent of our time on the beautiful, lush, island of flowers was extremely wet! Three times we received the emergency response system in our phones for flashflood warnings. I recorded a brief video of these downpours to remember the sound and the experience as we sat on our covered lanai overlooking the beautiful grounds of our secluded jungle area – it was incredible! We don’t see rain like that very often where I reside in the state of Washington.
The rushing sound of the torrential rain beating down in the trees, on roofs, and other structures was constant, and we wondered if we would have the opportunity to explore outside as the downpours refused to cease. Yes, I did pack an umbrella, but this wasn’t weather that you would stay dry in, even using an umbrella! I enjoy a rain shower every so often, but I’m not a person whom would enjoy living in an environment where rain was prevalent – just being honest! However, I love water and value its importance, and a good rain shower – it always seems cleansing.
Before we headed out for this needed time of rest, I was working through a study, “Downpour”, written by James MacDonald with some women at my church. I found it fascinating that I experienced these downpour episodes – God’s timing! The Holy Spirit was already beginning a fresh work in a dry area of my heart – so grateful for the insight and His truth that draws me back. The Holy Spirit impressed some words upon my heart… “tend to this, for then you will be satisfied”. So, of course the statement that was made when we arrived by the strangers who were neighbors jumped out as well. Could it get any louder? “Hey, you look dry!”
Of course, we never like it much when our eyes are opened to things we don’t like to admit to, but I did become aware of an attitude – the study helped us identify sin. We have some great discussions in class and I’m always refreshed when I hear of God’s work in the lives of others. I didn’t want to continue one attitude that seemed to be popping up more often in my own life. I knew that it displeased God- in fact I was tired of it! I would be making no more excuses or validating why the attitude continued to come up. It was sin and nobody else was responsible for it. I was done with it and the Lord heard my plea to forgive me. I trusted Him to help me. The visions of ceaseless rain that I witnessed moved my spirit deeply as I lavished in the beauty of the Lord’s love, grace and mercy- a downpour in my heart. Nothing compares to that! Are you spiritually dry… in need of a downpour? Call upon the Lord!
Soak in the words found in Hosea 6:1-3 – “Come, let us return to the Lord; for has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Prayer: Lord, you call us because you so love us. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. Revive us and help us know you more. We thank you for the cross!
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