By Tanya Jolliffe
The weather sure has been crazy lately. Large snow storms, deluges of rain, and unseasonable temperatures have touched us from coast to coast in the last few months. You may have heard the March weather lore that says, “in like a lion and out like a lamb.” It is a saying credited to Thomas Fuller and written back in 1732. This saying most likely developed from a reference to the position of the constellations of the lion, Leo, and ram/lamb, Aries, in the night sky in March. However, when March begins cold and windy and ends more calmly and warm, you can see why the statement became used to reflect March’s weather patterns.
A recent torrential downpour reminded me of an important lesson the Lord taught me a few years ago. One morning I set out for my early morning walk without checking the weather forecast. About halfway into my walk, I turned the corner and saw a massive line of storm clouds approaching me. Since I was at my farthest point away from home with no umbrella or person at home to call for a ride, I prayed, asking God to hold back the rain until I could return safely back home.
I continued to walk but picked up my pace and prayed as I watched the thick line of clouds grow ever closer to my walking route. As I looked in the opposite direction, there was nothing but blue skies and bright sunshine. I thought, isn’t that just the way God works, blessing on the one hand and curses on the other? Some live with everything going their way, while others endure hardship. As the sprinkles started, there was a dramatic line of storms right over me, with a half mile more to go until I reached home. I offered thanks and praise as he held back the rain I knew would come as I maintained my pace and continued toward home.
At that moment, I sensed God teaching me a profound lesson. In this life, you will experience some rain, hard times, limitations, and difficult decisions, but I hold back the hardest ones from you as a sign of my grace, mercy, and love. I shield you from what might overtake you with my mighty outstretched arm. I allow you to learn and grow from a little while protecting you from what might be too much to bear.
Suddenly I was reminded of the teaching to the Israelites.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him. Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees, and laws I give you today. If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors. He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine, and olive oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you. You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor will any of your livestock be without young” (Deuteronomy 7:9-14).
As I arrived home, only slightly damp, I closed the garage door and walked to the front window to watch the down pore begin. God had held back the most severe rain until I was safely inside. Although my husband and I have walked some hard roads over the last few years, we have walked them together with the Lord. We have also been shielded and protected by God’s mighty outstretched arm allowing us to offer thanks and praise for his love and care.
Are you facing some difficult times? I know many people are. If so, look for all the ways God is holding back the most challenging stuff and allowing his blessing, love, and grace to shine down on you. Offer up some praise and thanksgiving for what God is preventing you from walking through, and then go read Psalm 91 and remember that “If you say, ‘The Lord is my refuge,’ and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Psalm 91:9-10).
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