I don't know about you guys, but there are certain things that as soon as they happen instantly remind me of memories, whether it be memories from visits to see my grandparents when I was young or the rare family vacation. Recently, I was setting on my front porch listening to it rain. Where I live, we don't get a lot of downpours so when it does pour the rain I love nothing more then to go sit outside and listen. It was around 39 degrees and pouring the rain as I sat out on the porch listening to the pitter patter as the rain drops hit the ground.
The sound reminded me of a conversation I had a few years ago with my grandma setting out on her front porch during one of my short visits. It was storming pretty hard, yet there we sat cup of coffee in hand listening to the rain hit her tin roof. The ting...ting.. ting.. of the rain filling the silence as we sat taking it all in.
It wasn't long before we started talking. My grandma was tired of the rain and was ready for sunshine and warm weather, but I was loving the rain. It was a sound I had not heard in a while, the distinct overwhelming sound of a downpour. The sound of rain reminds me of the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. It doesn't matter what's going on around us, or what we are going through, our past mistakes, whatever it may be, we are never alone. No matter what our pasts may look like, when we allow Christ to guide us nothing stays the same.
"Without the rain, we would never feel thankful for the warmth of the sun.” - Unknown
After it rains and the sun begins to peak through the clouds there is a stillness that can be found in those moments. They may not always last long, but they are so beautiful. There is a calming quality to those moments. It is almost as if in those moments we are reminded of just how loved we are by our creator! No matter what you may be walking through or what you've walked through in the past you never walk alone. God is always right there with you every step of the way.
There is no where you could ever go to escape the love God has for you! You are loved more than you will ever know. It doesn't matter what life throughs at you, you are never alone. I know I say this a lot, but I just want to make sure you understand. You have so much to offer this world and a future oh so bright! No matter what the future may hold, remember you have a God-given uniqueness.
"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." - Isaiah 55:10-11
I love this passage and the reminder it gives us, just as the rain and snow come down to earth, but do not return to the heavens, as believers we know that our words do do not return void. My prayer for you is that you would remember that your words have power and can make a huge impact in the lives of those around you.
Never forget that you are loved and a child of God. You are never alone and you always have someone in your corner! All those memories that surfaced in my mind as I sat listening to the rain reminded me that our experiences shape us and play a major role in molding us into the people we are. Whether its a word from a grandparent, a smile from a friend, or the embrace of a parent. Each of these memories are a part of who we are and who we have become.
I was recently reminded that we can either let our circumstances define us or we can dive into the word of God and allow His word and His promises to define who we are. We have not been given a spirit of fear, but of courage and a sound mind. We were created by the maker of the universe with a purpose unique to each of us. Your future is oh so bright and I pray you all never forget just how loved you are.
The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there." - L.P. Hartley
I love this quote as there is much truth to it. So often when we look back on the past on memories sometimes thought forgotten we find ourselves thinking of all the ways we would have done things differently. The memories of our past can sometimes feel like stepping foot in a foreign country and not understand what's going on around us.
Next time it rains I encourage you to take some time to think about all the things you are thankful for and remember you are loved more then you will ever know by the creator of the universe!
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." - Philippians 1:3-5
I am beyond grateful for all of you and thankful that you would spend even just a few minutes reading these thoughts. Your future is so bright and I pray that no matter what may come your way that you would always remember just how loved you are. Never forget that the creator of the universe knows your name and walks with you every step.
Next time it rains, let yourself take a few minutes to think about memories and remind yourself just how loved you are by the creator of the universe!
Much Love friends,
Alianna
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