Rainy Days and Mondays

Karen Carpenter sang a sad song that stated, "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down," . . . but, those thoughts are not for me! I like the rain and most things about it.

The sound,
the smell,
the echoes of light.

It's therapeutic.

I understand that rain can sometimes be inconvenient. You're wearing good clothes and don't want them spoiled by water, like on "Jerry Seinfeld" when they spent an entire episode on Jerry having an expensive suede jacket that got wet in the rain and then smelled to high heaven. He ended up giving the jacket to his neighbor, Krammer, a guy who'd take anything that was free!

I don't care. I like the rain.

Rain is - refreshing.
It's like a shower for the world. And let's face it, sometimes the world could use a good shower. Yes?

"Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that he did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful season, filling our hearts with food and gladness." - Acts 14:17 NKJ

I'm looking at the new year, 2009, as a gift from God. If I use it properly, it will be a witness of God's goodness and mercy; a year in which He blesses my efforts and even brings fruitfulness to unexpected areas.

Some folks see God as armed and dangerous; a God with lighting bolts in his hands. But I see Him as our loving Creator who wants us to be fruitful; to experience the joy of growing in our relationship with Him, and in accomplishing forward momentum.

In three days the new year begins, but I'm not making any big resolutions this year. Instead, I'm going to focus on living for Jesus and trusting Him to shrink the difference between my potential and my accomplishments!

It's raining in Shanghai today . . .

and I'm glad.