Blessings Come Through Raindrops

We got back from a week at the beach yesterday.  We were all tired from sharing a very cozy very tiny house with my parents.  Memories were made.  The fact that we came home exhausted will fade.  I will never forget seeing my husband, my dad, and my oldest play on the beach.  I only regret not trying to skim board with my daughter.  (I *think* like I'm 18 but have a thirty-something body.  I guess it holds me back some:)

Well I was the only one up early this morning for another chapter in a three year saga of health things that have come up.  I had a three (!) hour test this morning, in a room with no windows and wifi not working. (We do cell phones on the cheap.  This is an important detail.)  I blew kisses to my oldest as I left, sad mommy wasn't staying to cuddle watching tv, and made my trek to my delicious doctor.  (Dr. "Pie". Boston Creme today, please.)

And I was driving and thinking, reflecting, and praying.  Times alone are rare, and I use them well.  I was remembering my dear friend saying to me, "I tell my daughters, if I die, don't you worry.  This life isn't much.  It's short.  And we will spend eternity in heaven together.  Don't worry."  And I was thinking what faith that demonstrates to your daughters.  I wondered if I had that kind of faith, but surely do want it.

I remember my littlest last night asking God to come out of her heart, through her mouth so she could see him.  And I told her it's called faith, we never see God, but he's as real as he touches our hearts, stays in there, and starting a conversation with him is as easy as we talk.  And I remember thinking how silly and ignorant that must sound to people who don't know him personally, who haven't experienced the realness of Jesus, felt him calm them with an overwhelming peace, love, life, joy, presence.  And I reclaimed that truth, right there, standing in her bedroom.  God is with us.  Give us eyes to see.

Passing through the countryside, I was barely hanging on.  (Perhaps I exaggerate here.)  I hadn't eaten or had anything to drink since dinner the night before but more importantly I hadn't had my coffee.  (Am I addicted?  This must be the first question addicts ask themselves...) I was feeling a little down and wanting to still be in my comfy bed.  Wanting God to take away all these issues so I could be normal again, whatever that looks like.  Done with poking, prodding, testing the past three years. Then I reminded myself it isn't that serious, and I can adjust.  Character building I like to call it.

During the test I caught up on my magazines I don't usually have time to read during the school year.  A first year of homeschooling that has brought lots of togetherness, confidence, and a good 15 pounds. Like my freshman 15 in college.  But then I remember it's more to shake when I dance and I'm happy again.  (What an image.  Sorry.  Nod to my Zumba friends...)

I finished the test, practically ran out of the office in search of a quick coffee and something to eat.  I was thankful I had a family to rush home to.  A husband and two precious girls that altogether is a crazy lot and keeps me laughing, joyful, hopeful.  I was reminded of how people struggle to have children, and how it is worth every bit of struggle.  And how naive I was when we first became parents.  How I had no idea my heart would grow to this size.

I found a deli family owned.  Proud of their establishment, signs posted everywhere how it wasn't a franchise.  It was the one and only and everything was homemade.  (You had me at homemade.)  I love the statement behind homemade items.  Yes it takes more time, cleaning, and yet demonstrates tons of love.  I got in the truck and came home.  Passing the same elderly man faithfully working in his garden that I passed at 7:30am.  Still working outside his humble house.  Probably done that way for years and years.

Listening to the radio (positive, encouraging) I heard the following song play.  The chorus really gets to me.  Because everything we experience, small or large, is a blessing if it brings us to God.  Today I choose to believe this and claim that God is behind everything.



We pray for blessings

We pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things




'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near

What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise




We pray for wisdom

Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

All the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we have faith to believe




'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise




When friends betray us

When darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

It's not our home




'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears

And what if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the achings of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

Are Your mercies in disguise