It’s raining over at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com not really, but the prompt is “rain”. Grab your umbrellas! Here we go……
“Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Jude 1:2 (NIV) / Pixabay
It rained and rained and rained and rained. By afternoon: school was dismissed early. By evening: phone lines were dead and the electricity flickering. By nightfall: we were without power and water was rising in the cellar. We awoke the next morning to an eerie hush that hovered heavy on the air. No birdsong. No traffic. No voices. Just the loud roar of rushing waters making their way down what had once been the road that lead in and out of our little town. In a matter of hours, life completely changed and from that moment on, time was defined as “before the flood” and “after the flood”.
When I left my classroom in the rain that day, I never imagined it would be weeks until I’d return. I’d called my mom to tell her we had a flood warning but not to worry. It never occurred to me that we’d be out of touch for what seemed an unbearable amount of time. Nothing could have prepared me for handing my nine month old son over to Army Reservists who’s all-terrain vehicle could make its way across mountains to take him to my in-laws’ farm where there was wood heat, when we had none. The flood of 1985 destroyed roads and farms, demolished homes, and swept away precious lives. It also taught me about community, perseverance, compassion, and God’s amazing grace!
We are rarely prepared for the storms of life. They come unexpectedly and often leave us in dark and seemingly unbearable places. It’s easy to feel engulfed. Even though many years have passed since that November flood, I’m reminded still today of the lessons I learned in it’s aftermath. While singing along with Chris Tomlin’s song “My Chains are Gone” one day, I got to the lines: “And like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace.” and I was overcome! I know what a flood can do and these words reminded me that God doesn’t give his gifts of mercy, love, and grace like a light, spring rain but rather just like a flood: with all its power, abundance, and an outpouring that saturates our souls and fills us to overflowing. When we accept those gifts, time then becomes defined as “before Jesus” and “after Jesus”. And our lives? They are completely changed forever! Amazing!
It must have been scary experiencing such a sever flood, but I love how you use it as an illustration of the way God pours his mercy and grace on us. I love that Chris Tomlin version of the song!
It still seems surreal even after all these years! I learned a lot through the whole experience. Even cooked my first turkey because I was one of few who had a gas oven and we were all trying to use everything in our freezers. I’m afraid I cooked it with the giblets still inside. Live and learn about baking turkeys and God’s mercy! Thanks Leslie! Cindy
I Love this thought –
‘that God doesn’t give his gifts of mercy, love, and grace like a light, spring rain but rather just like a flood: with all its power, abundance, and an outpouring that saturates our souls and fills us to overflowing.’
Reminded me of this scripture –
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you;
good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,
shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
That is perfect Leslie!!! Thank you for sharing it with me and for taking your time to stop in. God Bless! Cindy
Oh my, I can’t imagine making it through the kind of flood you experienced. And then I closed my eyes to think about the way God pours out his mercy and blessing as you described. Amazing love! I’m glad you stopped by my blog. Have a wonderful weekend!
It was something I never dreamed of going through either. We were so blessed that everything we lost on the farm could be replaced. We are also blessed to live in God’s abundance aren’t we! Thanks for visiting, Cindy
What an experience, Cindy – and what an amazing lesson you’ve drawn from it. I thought of that Chris Tomlin song too, although I didn’t write about it. It is a beautiful picture of God’s powerful grace and mercy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and encouraging all of us to keep trusting.
It WAS a crazy time and much easier to see the lessons looking back than while going through it! But isn’t God amazing at taking those storms and using them to teach us about His love for us! Thank you so much for commenting Jeannie! It means the world to me! Cindy