Sunday’s message was about rain…the storms of life - and we sang this song since it fit so well with it.  Some songs are just hard to sing - they just feel too personal.  But, difficult or not, the song is true and I need to be reminded of it.  It’s been repeating over and over in my mind all day.

“I can count a million times

People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I’ve gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It’s never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there’ll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that’s what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me whats a little rain

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I’m forever singing

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy”

I remember, in the exuberance of youth, proclaiming things like “Storms?!  I’ll fight through anything!  Bring it on!!”

These days I don’t make such emphatic declarations…more like quiet questions and often the need for mercy.  But, I aspire to say “Bring the Rain” once again.  It’s just that I recognize the thunder more readily now - I’ve grown familiar to the flash of lightening and the pounding of the wind.

So, I pray to be able to have the strength to say “bring the rain….whatever it takes to praise You”.  Whatever it takes…

Songs like this just bring home the fact that God is holy……and I’m not.  I aspire to these things, but fall short so desperately.

So I’m grateful for His mercy and grace.  Even in the rain….

….especially in the rain.

Peace.

Peace.