The beach is undoubtedly my "happiest place on earth" - slow mornings, followed by a stroll to the beach, returning for lunch and an afternoon by the pool. Clean shorts are about as "dressed up" as we get for dinner.
So, when the rain began - with no end in sight - my natural bent was to feel more than a little disappointed.
Despite the monsoon outside, I needed a walk. Being outdoors, being active always helps clear my head. Today was no different, as I splashed through the puddles.
"This is the gift I'm giving you." Maybe not an audible voice, but it was clear to me.
I was ready to gladly receive the sun-kissed arms, wet beach towels hanging everywhere, sand in my beach bag. Why not rain? It was not the gift I wanted. I thought of my children and how we've trained them to say "thank you," even if they don't like the gift they receive from someone. I am no different! I needed to thank my heavenly Father for this gift, remembering that He's the giver of all good things.
Rain at the beach is minor, trivial. But, it reminds me to thank Him for the hard things, challenges, suffering in my life. Things I want to run from instead of embrace.
He wants to bless his children. He delights in giving us good gifts.
"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:9-13
