The Rainstorm...

This afternoon we went on a Costco run.  When we got there, it was a beautiful, sunshiny, spring day...when we left however, rain clouds had quickly moved in.  As we loaded up the car I felt a few tiny sprinkles and thought to myself "There's no way it's gonna rain....I didn't even think it was in the forecast today." However moments later as we were driving down the road it started pouring rain.  Not like a steady drizzle....I mean POURING rain.  Not too long after I said, "What in the world...", did I hear the small voice of our oldest say "Mom!! Hurry!! We have to get to Grandma's house!!" I could tell instantly her tiny heart was scared a storm was coming.  She didn't understand that it was just a random rain shower, even though it was heavy rain, still just a rain shower.  I called over my shoulder that we were gonna be just fine and that there was nothing to worry about.  And yet, as we turned down the familiar road to my parents house I heard the sweet whisper of her again...this time she was comforting her sissy.  "Don't worry Lyla...we will be at Papa's soon.  We will be safe there..."

Be still my heart.  I literally could freeze time in that moment and have been happy.  As a mom, when I hear Maci be so sensitive and sweet to her baby sister, it makes me melt something fierce.  And as I played her words over again in my mind, I then heard God's sweet whisper...

"Daughter, how many times have you been like that? How many times has a rain shower hit your life and your response was: 'Hurry!! We have to get out of here!!' How many times have you been fearful, afraid, and worried over a situation that you have no control over? A situation where you might not have control, but I have it all under control."

And then I heard sweet Maci's voice again calling "Don't worry.....we will be at Papa's soon....we will be safe there."  I played it over and over and over again in my head, as it turned to Jesus sweetly whispering:

"Don't worry daughter....it will be over soon.  You are safe in my arm's"

Friends, Travis and I are knee deep in fear.  I'm not gonna lie.  We have been trying to sell our house for almost 3 years.  Yes I said 3.  I'm a planner and the fact that we have absolutely no control over when or how this house sells is driving me crazy.  The past month has been the biggest roller coaster of emotions and the devil has been out to attack every which way he can.  He wants us to give up. He wants us to throw in the towel.  He wants us to be so scared that we leave the road God has called us to.  And if I'm being honest.....there have been times I've sat there on the bed and thought "What is the point? Let's just throw in the towel because I can't do this anymore. We are doing everything the right way and yet here we are...still waiting...."  

And the past 2 days I have been fighting that fear like I have never had to fight before.  Yesterday I poured my heart over Hebrews 12......

"....Let us keep running in the race that God has planned for us.  Let us keep looking to Jesus. Our faith comes from Him and He is the one who makes it perfect. He did not give up when He had to suffer shame and die on the cross.  He knew of the joy that would be His later. Now He is sitting at the right side of God."  -Hebrews 12: 1-2

If Christ can endure the cross for the whole world and not give in to fear, we can endure the suffering that comes at times with God's plans.  We can keep fighting the good fight and never give up.  We can stand in the middle of the pouring rain and whisper "God's got this.  We are safe in His arms."  We don't have to let the fear sweep us away and take us places we don't belong.  Doesn't mean we won't get angry, doesn't mean we won't get scared, doesn't mean we won't cry endless tears sometimes....but it DOES mean that we don't belong to that fear.  We belong in our Father's arms......where we are safe and comforted know that He's in control.  That rainstorm isn't random to Him.  He saw it coming and He's got it all figured out even if it takes years to for us to understand.  

That random rainstorm this afternoon? It wasn't long after we got into my parents house and the sun was shining again.  Maci gazed out the window with a HUGE smile on her face and said "LOOK MOMMY!! The rain is over!! It's stopped!!" Yes it did sweet girl....And I know someday just as quick, in an instant.....God will let our rainstorm be over too.  And friend, He will do that same thing for you too.  Keep clinging to Him no matter how hard it rains.  Don't let that fear and doubt take hold of your soul.  Your soul doesn't belong to it....it belongs to Christ.