and now the rain is pouring down! We desperately needed a good rain out here; not so much a hard rain, but it would be nice if it would trickle down to a soft, steady rain and allow the rain to soak down into the earth. The rain now will not soak down, but will create travel difficulties for many. Especially out here. And hubby left about 5 minutes ago for his Bible study with his friends. In the rain. And he's driving. So what do I do? I pray for his safety, for the safety of his vehicle, and for the safety of those around him. It's difficult for the best driver when the rain is coming down like this, let alone those of us who are a bit slower.
I love the sound of the rain and thunder and wish that I did not have to work today, but stay here in my chair and wrapped up in my blanket and prayer shawl, listen to the sound. I'd love to turn the light off and just sit in the darkness and listen to what God is doing this morning. As long as the wind isn't blowing harshly to where I have to fear for damage to the house, I love to just lose myself in the sounds of the rain and thunder. It is slowing down to a steady rain now, it sounds like.
I am glad I don't have to take Sheeba out for a couple hours yet - she definitely would NOT go out in this! How do you feel about the rain? Do you enjoy the thunder (I didn't say anything about lightening.... I only like to watch it from a distance) and rain? How does it make you feel emotionally, mentally? Do you ever feel like it is soothing?
We went to the wedding reception last night and it was so good to see our friends there. When we arrived, several people came rushing to us and hugging us and telling us how much they missed us. We truly felt loved and the thought came to me....'could we drive the 45 minutes one way to go one day a week?' But I told myself we broke it off, we need to leave it at that. I have always felt so loved, albeit somewhat frustrated at times.
I was able to chat with a couple people from our State Association and of course we were asked where we were attending church. I just told them we were still seeking, but that we would probably end up with this specific one. I want good Bible teaching; not foo foo preaching. I want to know how to apply God's Word to my life today. If my toes get stepped on; so be it. I want to grow in Christ. We had a great time speaking with many of the people that came. The pastor came to me and gave me a big hug and just kept saying 'welcome home', 'welcome home'. I'm not sure what it is, but he has a special respect for me; in fact, his entire family does. I may not agree with how they do 'church', but their love and respect is real.
I also found out that another friend there - younger than me, of course. I think she is like around 62. Anyway... she retired as of last Friday. I was asked several times last night if I had retired yet. Of course I had to answer no. So the question would come, 'when do you plan to retire'? I always answered 'I don't know'. I was also asked what would I do if I was retired. That made me pause for what would flash before my eyes was not much different than it is now. Of course in my mind I would do volunteer work; I would get a part time job just to be kept busy. But would I? Would hubby LET me? He likes the fact that I work full time - especially now that I'm working from home. He won't like the reduction in the paycheck, although I calculated out the other day that if he reined in some of his activities we could certainly make it easily enough. I would have to quit shopping too, though. Am I ready to stop that? And yet, I can say yes to that. I would like to be free to do things during the week. Extensive traveling would not be on our radar, unfortunately. I can deal with that. I'd love to not have to worry about minutes, doing reports, and other things that are required. Over the past year I have forgotten how to do a lot of things and with two new bosses, I know things will change. Every one does things differently.
Hubby made reservations for us to go up north for a few days next month to celebrate our anniversary. I had told him no before due to him getting a car and having that expense. But I know the money is in the bank so I didn't protest when he brought it up. We both desperately need to get away - me from work; him from the heat, he says. I did suggest we take a couple days and do a mini retreat where we don't go anywhere but just stay in the room and read our Bibles/books and think about what we want to do in the future. Although our future is reduced from what it was 30 years ago. I do love my mini-retreats, but usually prefer doing them alone where I can concentrate and focus on God without interruptions. And usually we go on the day of our anniversary or right after, but this time with out anniversary being on a Saturday, we'll go the Wednesday before. I have a new boss starting on August 16th and I will need to meet him at the office on that date and hand off the laptop. I hope he lives on this side of town for I can get his laptop to him before the 16th and maybe NOT have to go into the office. I'll check with him closer to the date; right now I think he lives in Yuma.
The thunder is now in the far distance, and the rain sounds like it has stopped. We were just a 'pass-by' I guess. Hopefully it has cooled the temperatures down some, but even more importantly than that, cleared the air. Sometimes, especially lately, it feels like we are breathing dirt out here.
Hubby is gone, the rain has stopped, and I hear the birds out making their noises. Other than the sound of my fingers on the keyboard, it is silent here. Ah, Sheeba just moved. But the silence is there. Thunder in the distance is soft. I would love to just stay here and be silent before God. Those are my favorite times, when I am quiet, the world around me is void of sound, and my thoughts are turned to God.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God."
I hear Him in the thunder; I see Him in the rain. And I sit, and I am still. I can hear You now, Lord. The busyness of my life is not my focus right now. You are. I am waiting for You, Lord. Come visit me today.
Blessings.
No comments:
Post a Comment