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Topic: rain (10/17/05)
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TITLE: Raindrops of Peace | Previous Challenge Entry
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10/24/05 -
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The walk to the parking lot was quite pleasant with the beautiful landscaped gardens and winding path that surround the Veteran’s hospital grounds. I needed the peacefulness of this quiet moment’s walk.
Standing by dad’s hospital bed, as he lie there helpless, his frail body full of Cancer, I asked him, if he wanted me to read him his Bible that lay on his chest wrapped in his arms. Unable to speak he nodded no and then held up the victory sign with his fingers shaped in the infamous V, he assured me, he was at peace. I kissed his forehead and told him I loved him, he winked as always sending his jester of love. I left knowing that he will soon have final victory over sin in his life, and the Cancer that ravaged his body.
Earlier in the day when I had arrived at the hospital, it had been a bit overcast and now the sky was scattered with gray clouds; it appeared a storm was looming up ahead.
A raindrop trickled down my cheek. I felt rather strange for a moment as I felt this sensation, then a few more drops fell down my cheeks like a stream of tears. I looked up at the clouds and thanked the Lord for the rain. My own tears, intermingling with the raindrops on my face.
“Thank you Lord…this is my bottle of tears, isn’t it? … the bottle of tears you have stored up with loving compassion.”
Reaching for my umbrella tucked in my bag; I began to reminisce the many times I had shed tears, calling out to God in fear,
”LORD, I’m afraid…please take this storm away!”…
I felt so helpless when a storm was on the horizon. It seemed there was no way for me to control the oncoming rages of the storms with the lightening and the loud crashes of thunder. I didn’t like living in the southern part of the United States. The storms were so fierce. In my hometown on the West Coast, the storms brought a nice rain shower and then the sun would appear and the day filled with fresh clean air.
Here in the South, each time the clouds rolled in overhead, I’d panic,
“Oh, dear, I just know there is going to be a tornado with this one!”
Yes, this one I remember well. I had to flee my mobile home and go to a friend’s house for safety. The rain was pelting the windows hard and the wind swayed the trees. It was awfully dark outside for mid-day. But, it soon passed and all was well.
I would constantly ask myself,
“How many times Lord, will it take for me to trust you?…and not be afraid.”
Finally, I began to focus on the work God was doing in my life. Each trial and each tear would draw me closer to the Lord. I’d search my Bible and always find a verse of comfort. I knew he was trying to make me stronger in my faith. I realized I must exercise faith in order for it to accomplish peace.
Finally over time the blessed peace of trusting my Lord did come.
A storm was predicted, not just any storm, but a Hurricane!
”Well, Lord this time, I am not going to be afraid…I am going to pray, and then I am going to rest in your will …I have applied Romans 8:28 so many times Lord, why not now.”
And so I did, and the Hurricane blew out to sea.
Another storm had come into my life. This storm was an emotional one of sadness, watching my father die of Cancer. My tears were surely kept in this storm as well. How many times, the Lord’s word brought me comfort, once again.
My father’s sign of victory and his hands clutching his Bible gave me assurance of his peace. He would soon be with the Lord he loved. I need not fear. A calm rested over my soul.
As I neared my car, the rain stopped and a light breeze blew, and the sun began to peak through the clouds. The darkness had faded into the distance. The threat of the storm had passed.
There would be no storm today, only a gentle rain.
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I really enjoyed this!