June 2008 – Page 3

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I got done with work only 40 minutes late today. My attitude, well, it could have been better. I was tired, frustrated, reliving the stresses of the day. Missing paperwork. Feeling rushed. Inconsiderate guests. Not enough to drink. Hot and muggy. Chaotic clean-up. It wasn’t one of my best days.

I arrived at the library only 3 minutes before closing–certainly not enough time to go in to return my books. I dropped them in the book drop. Seeing my friend Joanna’s car parked nearby, I decided on a whim to park next to her and wait until she came out. It was only a few minutes before she emerged.

We chatted. I vented. She asked me if I’d like to go for a walk tomorrow morning. Unexpected blessings. A chance to catch up. It’s been a long time. Something to look forward to. A reason to not spend all night on the computer. Re-awakening friendship. God is good.

It’s been a discouraging last several months–with so many things going on personally and feeling like the heavens are brass. Feeling like my prayers are unheard–or maybe I’m not even really praying–maybe I’m just repeating a ritual trying to conjure something into existence.

It’s been raining almost continually in Nebraska this entire spring. Many of the farmers are still struggling to get their crops planted. But my heart has been in drought.

Today, the rains began to fall–and I can’t say how wonderful it feels.

Instead of having a formal “class” in Sunday School today, we prayed together for requests and then headed out into pre-service prayer for a time of personally seeking God. God led me to Jeremiah 29–my life verses.

Verse 10 says “After 70 years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word toward you.” Wow. How quick I am to doubt that God will fulfill His word–yet the Jews had to wait 70 years for their return from captivity.

Verse 11 gives hope: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you…thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God reminded me not to despair–His plans for me haven’t changed. The thoughts that He has toward me still include a future and a hope.

Verses 12-14 echo the inklings God has been speaking through Matthew–“And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you…” God isn’t so far off that He will not be found. When I ask, I will receive. When I seek, I will find. He opens the door to me when I knock.

Finally, God took me back to Matthew 6:25-34 for the bottom line: “Do not worry. I am God. Seek Me.”

Amen

An Unexpected Blessing

The Rains Fall