May 19 2009
Rain Rain Go Away…
Yesterday was a day of firsts for me. I had my first face-to-face interview in Florida. It was the first day of the work week and the kick-off [apparently] for the rainy season. We are scheduled to have rain all week. I also experienced my first experience driving in a torrential rain/ lightening storm.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am not a big driver. Until the move to Florida, I lived in Jersey City, NJ, and took the short Path Train ride into NYC and then jumped on the NYC Subway system. I am accustomed to reading a magazine standing up or sitting down a feeling of immense conquest occurs when this happens] and then getting off at the appropriate location or to transfer to another subway line.
Part of moving to Florida includes driving– everywhere. Fine, no problem. I actually like highway driving. However, yesterday after my job interview, which went well [Thank you, God!], I was halfway back from Downtown Orlando to my home when I realized that something was wrong. It was dark at 10:30 am. I had to turn on my headlights in order to see. I took a quick peek up at the sky and saw one of those mammoth, low, dark grey clouds which let you know that it is going to rain which it did. As soon as I thought to myself, “I think it is going to rain”, the sky opened up and the rain fell down.
Let me give you a visual of how hard the rain was coming down. Imagine that your car is the size of a Matchbox Car and there is a firehose, an actual size firehose, which is engaged so that the full force of water necessary to put out a fire is coming toward you. In case you missed it, the Matchbox Car represents my Subaru Impreza and the engaged firehose represents the rainstorm. Now, just to make things more interesting throw in lightening bolts which are hitting so closely and frequently that you are genuinely worried that the vehicles in front of you or on the side of you have been struck. There was no visibility and in general just crappy driving conditions which caused my normally 15-20 minute drive to turn into a 45 minute drive at about 20-30 miles per hour on I-4 [which is like the Jersey Turnpike].
I am thankful that my first impulse was to pray and remember verses that God has said about taking care of me and protecting me. I am extremely thankful that I was not fearful. It is such a wonderful blessing to turn to God for every care of your heart and just know that He will take care of you and guide you. I could have very easily freaked out and wondered what “I” was going to do. Instead I was not freaked out, but peaceful and focused because I turned my focus over to God and prayed that God would take care of me and provide me with His wisdom. Obviously, He did because I survived that storm.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (King James Version)
3Thou [God] wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee[God].
4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Philippians 4:6-7 (King James Version)
6Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15-17 (King James Version)
15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Jeremiah 17:7 (King James Version)
7Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
Joshua 1:9 (King James Version)
9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Storms are going to come in a variety of forms but no matter what the circumstances are, when you renew your mind to God’s Word and place your trust in Him then you can be peaceful with God’s peace. Peace and thankfulness go together. God brought me home safely yesterday and continues to direct my paths everyday.
Look on the bright side… you can get bummed out and anxious about your situation, or you can look to God and let Him take care of you.
God Bless!
