BRING ON THE RAIN!

BRING ON THE RAIN!

I fondly remember one of my elementary teachers creating a bulletin board with the phrase April Showers Bring May Flowers. One half of the bulletin board consisted of large blue raindrops forming puddles of water in a darker blue while the other half of the board held large colorful flowers, green grass, and a bright yellow sun. I vividly remember the artwork and lettering were created with thick construction paper, rough, coarse-textured paper that was used heavily for art projects and crafts in my school years.

I’m not sure exactly which of my elementary teachers created the bulletin board but the illustration and verse have stayed with me over the years, and each spring I remind myself of these words as I watch the beautiful spring flowers bloom and blossom.

Finding Beauty

A beauty that can only be admired after the heavy rains because let’s face it, April showers aren’t always embraced. Those rainy days spent indoors while the sunless sky showers down water, sometimes accompanied by wind, thunder, and lightning. It’s the gloomy days that get me! I am fully aware of the impact the dark skies and rain have on my thoughts and moods. But, without the rain, how can I appreciate the beautiful flowers and freshness of spring?

As I reflect on my favorite phrase, the inspiration came to learn a bit more about the expression. All these years of retelling these words and I’d never taken the time to research the origin, the writer of these words.

Sweet Showers

I was pleased to learn the words were part of a collection by Thomas Tusser in the 1500’s. He wrote, “Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.” I say pleased because there are times when I’ve learned a favorite phrase or quote had a hidden meaning much different than my perception and entirely out of line with my beliefs or values, so you can imagine how apprehensive I was to delve into the meaning of my favorite phrase.

Furthermore, these words are words of encouragement to me. For many years I continue to remind myself of the beauty that follows the stormy skies. I hope these words encourage you as well. As we are experiencing the heavy rains of life, we must be encouraged to keep the faith because after the rains come a burst of beautiful flowers.

The Rains Comes Down

Are you encouraged? Does it seem that everywhere you turn there’s disappointment, pain or circumstances beyond your control? Does the rain keep coming? Well, my friend, life is just that…circumstances we are unable to control. But what we can control is our response. Trust me. I’ve been there. An acquaintance recently shared that I should write a book about my journey. My response, “I’m not sure anyone would believe it!” In all honesty, I’ve been through some pretty harrowing experiences and made some rather poor choices. But my experiences have shaped me into the person I am today.

More importantly, it is through these experiences that I have been found and all for the better because the beauty only appears after the storm. Click To Tweet

After the Rain

My storms created a strength in me that I would have never possessed had I not persevered through the challenging times. My compassion increased as well as my love for the simple things. I am much more appreciative. And, I love to encourage and uplift those around me. I also like to build and create. You see, I’ve grown through my experiences. I did not just go through the dark times; I grew through the dark times. Just as a flower blooms, I pushed through, and I am happy to share that I am a much better person today because of my past – the good, the bad, and the ugly. The rains did stop, and the flowers bloomed just as God promises.

Life Blooms

Today, I want to encourage you right where you are at this very moment in your journey. Let’s endure the rain together and wait patiently for the beauty of the flowers that will spring forth when the rains let up. The rains and circumstances in our lives are temporary.

Are you experiencing some rains in your life at this time? It could be a steady rain, or it could be torrential rains. Either way, I encourage you to remain hopeful. It will pass, and when the rain stops, the clear blue sky will shine upon you and life will in effect bloom, and that my friend is a promise!

“I will bless my people and their homes around my holy hill. And in the proper season, I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)

 

Image Credit by Beth Briggs Illustrations