Rainy Day's ahead. Get your umbrella!

Rainy days in Sunny Miami, Florida are no fun. I've been homebound. And though I have been productive and cleaning up the house and tightening up loose ends, it's gloomy and sure, somewhat lonely. Sparky (my Shi-Tzu) and I have become friends - close friends. Nevertheless, I've become to realize that rainy days have their purpose in life too. We were just under a drought and ironically, coincedentally, rather, God sends this rain down. And so like the saying goes: when it rains, it pours.

Life has this tendency to pour over us a plethora of stuff. Call it family issues, health issues, car issues - issues period, period. We all have them and they are everywhere. Suffice it to ask: what do we do when it rains?

Some of us take our chances and run out to get into our cars quickly, risking the most embarassing moment of slipping in the parking lot or jumping into a puddle and getting all wet! Or even worse- having a vehicle (the larger the better), hit a puddle right in front of you, thereby splashing you from head to toe in dirt and oil infiltrated waters. What a day!? But we chose to take that risk when we don't cover ourselves, or take hold of the umbrella. Have you realized that when we choose the umbrella we walk so much slower, calmer, and steady? That's because we know we are covered and the rain can't mess with our hair do's.

At the same time, there are those (like me), at times, that practice patience or take a quick peek at the Weather Channel app on my phone before leaving and thought it would be wise to bring the umbrella with me. I could see it now: cloudy skies as I walk through the Publix parking lot, people rushing into the store before it pours, we feel that wind coming and we think to ourselves: "let me try to beat it and get inside".

And though I have truly elaborated on the sequence of the first signs of rain reactions, it was done purposely. You see when issues come, sometimes we see them coming from afar and sometimes we don't. Nevertheless, the Bible tells me that issues will come and it warns me. And I listen. It tells me that my covering is Jesus. My protection is in Him. So when these storms of life come our way, I can stand strong knowing that Jesus is my umbrella. And though these issues around me are not gone, and yes, I still have to face them head-on, I know one thing: I'm confident my hair won't get wet. I don't have to worry about my changing my shirt or drying up in the bathroom. I can walk confidently knowing that though it's pouring cats and dogs outside, I'm under the greatest umbrella anyone can have, and to my surprise - it was and is still free for the asking.

[Insert Oprah sarcasm here: You get an umbrella! And you get an umbrella! Everyone that wants one gets an umbrella!]

Truthfully, I'm just thankful for his covering and protection, the measure of grace upon our lives, and the insurmountable peace that he gives during the storm.

[Insert Rihanna song here: Umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh]

I pray we all take a moment to ask for our umbrella's.

#graceandpeace