Let It Rain

When I was a little girl I spent the night at my grandparents' house. I climbed up into a huge feather bed and sank down and cuddled in. It was raining, and the song of the raindrops dancing on the tin roof lulled me to sleep. I have no idea how old I was, quite young as I recall, but whatever my age, I will never forget that night. It was such a peaceful time of sleep and comfort. Ever since I have loved the sound of rain.


Do you love the rain? Yesterday we saw a good, soaking rain pour down on the ground that is dry and parched from this year's drought. The earth desperately needed that refreshment.


I am sitting on the back porch this morning looking out at the cattle pasture. After that wonderful rain yesterday, this morning there are patches of green all across the ground. Patches of green where yesterday there was only dust and dirt. Honestly, it's looks a little like springtime right now when all the new grass is starting to grow after a long winter.


We need refreshment too. We try to quench our thirst in so many ways. Cola. Juice drinks. Frozen, icy concoctions. And, of course, our southern staple...SWEET TEA! In reality, though, the best thing we can do for ourselves is drink water. Whether it is our skin, our houseplants or vegetable garden, a boiling pot of pinto beans, or our very own bodies, we need water.


It's been a long, hot, dry summer. My husband has had to sell over half of his herd of beef cattle because of the drought. And more will be going to market within the next two weeks. He has, for the first time in our 31 years of marriage, had to provide hay and feed to the animals to keep them alive during the summer. Normally we are mowing down weeds because they grow so high the cows can't consume it all. This year, we have watched as the grass has died away and the dust has boiled. This year we have watched as the rain was all around us but never reached this farm. This year we have been in a dry and weary land.


It's a season, and we know that. We know that the rain will come and grass will grow again. But in the middle of the season, frustration and concern grow more each passing, dry day.


Psalm 63:1 A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah. You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.


When our skin gets dry and itchy we slather on the lotion. When our plants get dry, we give them water. And, if we allow that pot of pinto beans to boil dry, the smell will linger for days and that pan is very hard to clean...not that I speak from experience, you understand!


We try to satisfy the longing of our souls. We seek comfort in material possessions. We try to escape hurt and disappointment with TV or shopping or blame. Our spirit is longing for something, but what? Where can we turn? Will we EVER find the answer?


Friend, in this dry, parched world, we need to start desperately yearning for the refreshing touch of our Savior's hand!


Psalm 143:6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.


Have you gotten into a dry, parched place in life? Do you feel dusty and fragile, ready to crack open like earth that hasn't had water in weeks and has been burned by the blazing sun? Does your life stink like that nasty pot of beans that stayed on the stove too long without water, now unfit for anything but the trash?


Turn to Jesus, my friend. Seek his face and bow at his feet. Ask him to refresh your soul. Drink from the well of living water. He will pour over you like the rain. He will clean up the nasty stench that has consumed you. And yes, He can restore you even when you thought all you were good for was the trash. Drink deeply. Completely. Fully. Soak up all He gives you.


Then you will see the renewing that comes from the Living Water. You will see those dry patches of your life begin to green up again. You will stop itching and longing for relief. You will smell the freshness of the clean that only He can give...You know, the smell that comes after the rain. You will experience what the psalmist described:


He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water. Psalm 107:35

Come to the fountain, friend. Stop and sit awhile. Talk to the Lord about the things you may have lost as you traveled through this difficult time. Allow the Lord to turn this desert season of your life into a time of new growth...just like the patches of green across our fields today.


As the song says, "Let it rain! Let it rain! Open the floodgates of heaven and let it rain!"

Put Your Dancing Shoes On!

January 20, 2014. A day I will never forget.... It has been 960 days since the adventure began. It will never be over, but today it reached a pinnacle I had been waiting for...for a very long time. 


Whether you have been journeying with me from the beginning, came in mid-way, helped me finish out treatment, or met me after it was all over, you should celebrate today. Because without my prayer warriors, encouragers, cheerleaders, caregivers, fellow adventurers, medical family, and especially those who know the darkest moments of fear, tears, and confusion...I couldn't have made it.


God is good, no matter what. That's what we say when we are in the middle of the cancer battle. All the time we are hoping for healing. Never losing hope yet facing the truth that healing may not come, we commit to give God the glory.


Some of my friends and fellow adventurers did not make it. I think of three beautiful ladies who are worshiping at the feet of Jesus today. Families left without mothers grieve what we all fear cancer will do to us. There were others I saw in the treatment room who are still in the midst of their battle. Some friends have since had new diagnoses and have endured the walk to recovery. Some are just now beginning their own journey. Some will do all this for the rest of their lives. Yet I still hear them giving God the glory.




Cancer causes much disruption and distress. It interrupts life. When the diagnosis comes, your focus shifts to the multitude of appointments you must keep. What you can eat that might actually have flavor since your taste buds are damaged and lacking now. Watching your platelet count and hoping it doesn't go too low to get your chemo. The fatigue from the radiation keeps you from some activities you love but teaches you to appreciate the rest of a good, refreshing, long nap.


When you finally reach the end of treatment you have so many new people in your life. The treatment room nurses. The radiation therapists. Doctors. RNs. NPs. APNs. PAs. Fellow patients. Facebook friends you haven't really met but heard of your story and wanted to pray for you. All people who are rooting for you and wishing you the best. Finally the radiation burns heal and your hair starts to grow back.


But your journey is not over. You have at least five years of constant observation by all those doctors who got you through. Every few months you see someone. They all encourage you. They urge you onward. They smile and say, see you in twelve weeks.


You  hear things like:
Everything looks good
                    You're doing well
                                      Keep up the good work
                                                                     A+ today


But the words I have longed to hear. The words every doc has held back. Those are the words I finally heard today.

C A N C E R     F R E E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


So put on your dancin' shoes, people! It's time to do the Holy Ghost Hop! (Only you Carman fans will get that.) Seriously, celebrate with me!


Give God the glory! He leads us through good times and bad. He holds us up when we can't take another step on our own. I will praise God for healing me. I will share my story again and again and again. I will honor those who don't hear these precious words and continue to work to encourage everyone to take good care of themselves and to seek medical treatment and screenings. As long as I can speak or type, I will tell people of God and what he did for me.


Now, let's dance! Raise those hands! Turn the praise music up! Celebrate Jesus today!!