Showers

Showers

High in the sky, a gray, dark cloud.

Slowing moving, filled with a load.

A shower's coming

before evening.

The breeze kicks up.

There's something up.

The weather is about to change

as this dark cloud moves over the range.

A raindrop

drops and plops

on windowpanes

and fields of grain...

on parched grass and dry flowers,

on vegetables undercover.

Everything sighs

with grateful aaahhhsss!

Plants are relieved to receive

these raindrops on their wilted leaves.

Vegetable foliage welcomes

this blessing from the afternoon storm.

These drops turn into a gentle shower

chasing in the garden growers

who take cover

when it showers.

It seems the grass is greener

and flowers prettier

after a shower

passes over.

There's a fragrant freshness in the air

after a shower washes through the air

washing away the smog and pollution

that often comes from transportation.

This shower will also cause seeds to sprout.

Gardeners will then have weeds to weed out

for in the dry soil were seeds

that came from uninvited weeds.

The gardeners will also notice, too,

that the grass will need to be mowed due to

this afternoon shower that passed through

prompting the grass to grow anew.

Soon the gray cloud overhead

that watered the garden beds

is empty of its load

and turns back into a white cloud...

leaving behind gardening chores -

for there's weeding, mowing, and more

that wait outside the door.

Gardeners are never bored.

The shower has passed through

meaning break time is through.

It's time to get to work

on my patch of earth.

* * * * *

A surprise afternoon shower may leave a fragrance

that refreshes and cools the air making it pleasant.

There are other surprise storms that are not so pleasant.

It's the unexpected storms of life that upset.

The disappointments

and bereavements.

The emergencies

and urgentcies.

Mounting troubles

which double.

Long sicknesses

and illnesses.

Financial woes

which tend to grow.

Wrong decisions

causing derision.

Problems which never abate,

they only seem to aggravate.

Anxiety day and night

leaving one filled with fright.

Worry rears its ugly head.

You want to cover your head

and never get out of bed,

hiding away instead.

You'll find storms, though, have a purpose.

To strengthen us is their purpose.

For these storms will strengthen our faith

if we allow them to, giving us grace.

Grace that will enable

when we feel unable.

Courage to get up and fight back

when discouragement attacks.

Fear will abate

when you have faith.

Faith will grow our trust

to see God's best for us.

And that's exactly what strengthens us -

it's seeing God's daily faithfulness

in the midst of troubles,

knowing that God is able.

That if we rest in faith

and patiently wait

God's plan will come true

and our life renewed.

Just like a shower renews

what it touches through and through.

Remember, trust God during your storm.

Something special is waiting to be born.

He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams;

the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.

Job 36:27-28

You gave abundant showers, O God;

you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Psalm 68:9

Do the skies themselves send down showers?

No, it is you, O Lord our God.

Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

Jeremiah 14:22

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

II Chronicles 16:9

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds.

He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

Zechariah 10:1

Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

I Corinthians 16:13

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or discouraged...

for there is a greater power with us...

with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

II Chronicles 32:7-8

I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings

until the disaster has passed.

I cry out to God Most High, to God,

who fulfills his purpose for me.

He sends from heaven and saves me...

God sends his love and his faithfulness.

Psalm 57:1-3

...the storm subsided, and all was calm.

Luke 8:24

He stilled the storm to a whisper...

They were glad when it grew calm,

and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love

and his wonderful deeds for men.

Psalm 197:29-31

Wait for the Lord;

be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.