His Sweet Smile

Yesterday felt like winter...not fall, but winter. Now, us Southerners LOVE the fall air. We shout with joy over feeling the wind blow against our faces and having a much needed reprieve from all the heat. But feeling so cold in your house you don't want to get out of bed or having to bundle your children up in jackets just to go to church-that we don't enjoy. (I know my Colorado relatives are laughing at me, as they prepare for a much colder winter, full of lots of snow! Love you guys!)

Last night, I had to find long sleeved shirts and jackets for my children and load them up in the mini van and set out for a night at church. As we drive out of the garage I notice the cold, misty rain falling down. I glance in the back seat and look at my boys as they are on the verge of battling another round of ear infections. At the stop light, the rain falls hard enough for me to turn on my windshield wipers. I started praying without even realizing it. Here was my conversation, "Lord, my boys have been in and out of the pediatrician's office every other week. It's cold and wet outside. (Like He doesn't already know this!) Please stop the rain so we don't have to get wet and then they get ..."

All of a sudden I stopped and realized what I was asking. As my husband says, I was being a "finicky female". For the last two weeks we have been praying for rain. Our lakes are drying up and the water supply in Atlanta only has 90 days left. My mother was telling me about somewhere in Tennessee, where the drought is so bad, they can only turn on their water for 3 hours a day and flush their toilets once a day...and here I am, asking Him to stop the rain so my already frizzy hair-doesn't get wet! Am I a spoiled little princess or what?

So, I backtracked, "Lord forgive me. How selfish I am to even ask you to stop the rain when we need it so desperately. Please send the rain! Send it long and hard and cold if you must, but send the rain and please forgive me for being so selfish!"

We are about to turn on the street that leads to our church...
Randol says, "Wow Mama, it's really starting to rain! I think we might have to get wet!"

Five seconds later...
I park my car, Randol and I both open the door and she says,"Mama look-it stopped raining! How did that happen so fast?"
I laughed right there, out loud. I knew He was smiling down on me!

I unloaded all my children-with the help of a friend...walked inside...looked out the window five minutes later...and there is a family, all with umbrellas over their heads, as the rain fell!

Now you may say it was a coincidence, but I don't believe in coincidences! I say it was a small gift from the One whom even the rain and clouds obey! Even the smallest of requests...no, even the stupidest of requests-He listens too!

The men were amazed and asked,

"What kind of man is this?

Even the winds and waves obey Him!"

~Matthew 8:27