April Showers Bring May Flowers
Recently I thought about this old saying, “April showers bring May flowers,” and using that as an analogy for us as Christians. In the Word the Lord reminds us that it rains on the just and the unjust.
“…that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:4-5 NIV)
In each of our lives we go through different seasons. During our “April season”, while we are going through our “shower”, we can sometimes get overwhelmed when it becomes too heavy for us. At other times it is just a light sprinkle that may cause us a challenge, but maybe nothing that we feel we can’t handle.
But let’s go back to this idea of a rain storm that really comes down in sheets. At some level we tend to pretend that we have it all together, but then we can sometimes begin to find an escape route that may take a turn for the worst. This escape route can take many forms of unhealthy behaviors and consequences, such as emotional eating, smoking, drinking or even insomnia. At its very worst, some people have done the desperate act of committing suicide.
How, then, do we prevent our behaviors and our thoughts from taking us down and drowning us where we become lost in our stormy season? We are designed for connection and having one person in our lives that we can be truly authentic with can make all the difference in the world. Jesus himself called us his friends.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business, instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)
There is so much power in the scriptures and we can apply that to our relationships by being a true friend that reaches out, stays connected and really knows others. In that way, as scripture states, we can stick closer than a brother.
“A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” ( Prov 18:24 American KJ)
These storms in our lives are not meant to destroy us; they are meant to build us. Without adverse situations, how do we build character? Just as the rain comes to nourish the plants and grass it can also come to sweep away and ultimately, as in a flood, destroy all that is in its path. These are times to pull together - to rebuild. Just as the floods and tsunamis that occur all around the world, one thing you will notice is that people come from all over to help rebuild and support those that were involved. It is our connection as human beings - and as Christians - to be there for one another.
You don’t have to go it alone. Making friends with our fellow sisters in Christ has power to give you strength and someone to share your ups and downs with. Don’t under estimate friendships, for they keep you connected socially and emotionally. Christ put a great emphasis on friendship.
Stay connected; don’t get lost in your rainy season. Find someone to connect with and as the rain lets up the sun will shine again. The smile and light will come back in your eyes and you will blossom anew just like the flowers that had to fight their way through the soil and break out of the seed to rise up and show its true beauty and what it was created for. So, too, will you!
Rachel Lupercio
SUMMER SHAKE UP SERIES
GATHER HER || 06.08.17
FAITH + FASHION + FRIENDS + FREE
Enjoy an evening with women just like you who want to explore their faith and love all things fashion!
Speaker: Lauren Clark & Raema Mauriello || CW Writers
Topic: Idenity!
Fashion Partner: CW Beauty Bar, Julie Fox & Celeste Breaux
Make up touch-ups
Pop up shop: Pam Hurn with Park Lane Jewelry
~ Bar is available for purchase.
~ Raffle items! $3/ticket or 6 for $15
...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.