Rain...

Awwwww....what a wonderful sound to wake up to this morning at 6 AM...thunder, lightning and the sound of a downpour rain.

Needless to say...I wanted desperately to stay in bed and let it lull me back to sleep but I couldn't because Tyler has football practice every morning, which means he leaves home at 7:15 AM. It was a good thought, though. I did manage to stay there as long as possible because my wonderful husband got our son up and headed in the right direction. I had to finally get up and fix his snack for their mid-morning break and get his Gatorade pack to keep them cold until he needs them.

God is so good and He hears even the smallest of prayers. I have whispered several small prayers this week for cooler temperatures, rain, cold front...anything to lessen this heat wave that we are in.

I, along with some other mothers, have been worried about our boys practicing so hard in this 100+ heat everyday until 12:00 noon. The boys are drenched with sweat when we pick them up and are pretty much exhausted for the majority of the afternoon afterwards. It seems like every year in the good ole HOT South...you hear of a teenager dying during football practice due to the heat or a heart condition that they didn't know about that was brought on by heat exhaustion and/or the physical exertion in this type of heat. For those of you that haven't visited the good ole South in the middle of summer...let me tell you...it's not just the temperature that is the real "killer" but add the humidity to that...which pushedsthe heat index well into the 100+...miserable range. We have "Heat Advisory" posted nearly everyday during this time of year without rain.

Next week, they will practice at 3 PM because school is getting ready to start back and the teachers have to be at school until 3 PM. My goodness, don't they know that is the hottest part of the day! Our poor boys!

Our wonderful, loving, caring Heavenly Father heard our prayers and He answered them!

Thank you, Jesus for caring about our boys, our farmers, their crops that are burning up in the field, our lawns that are in desperate need of natural rain (I need a cheaper water bill), our elderly friends and neighbors who don't have an air conditioner (I can't imagine...that is true suffering), burn bans (posted at the campground this weekend due to lack of rain), wild fires all over the United States, water shortages and so many other things that a lack of rain causes.

Today's rain probably wasn't enough to take care of all the needs from our month long drought but it certainly looked good, felt good, smelled good (nothing smells better than rain) cooled the temperatures off and made my grass...smile...it is much greener this morning after a big drink. It is 76 degrees now with a projected high of 91 today with a 40-50% chance of more rain today.

Praise The Lord!

What's even better than that...right now...that's the operative word...right now...the projected forecast for next week....highs in the upper 80's with 40% chance of rain. Even if it doesn't rain....highs around 88-89 degrees....that is like fall weather for us. I will welcome it and love every minute of it.

Every time I see it rain or hear it rain....I am reminded of how great of a God we serve. Stop this morning and think about how amazing God is and how He controls everything that takes place on this earth and in our lives. Read with me in Job...let your mind see the picture that is painted before you in God's Word. Focus on Job 37:13 (NIV)...remember this when you see, hear or feel the rain....God's rain.

1 "At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice, to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back.
5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
7 So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor.
8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish men, or to water his earth and show his love.
14 "Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 "Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. 20 Should he be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?

Have a blessed day and enjoy God's "rain" in your life today...whether it is the physical rain outside or allowing Him to rule and reign in your life...either way...we are blessed.