Bring the Rain

Today was the first day back to school.  And if I'm going to be honest about it, my attitude was less than spectacular.  I was feeling like a failure well before I left this morning, and not making it any better with negative self-talk and doubt.  Andy pulled me into bed with him and prayed over me before I left, and I can't tell you how thankful I am for that moment.

As I left the house and drove to school, I was drawn into the song on the radio, Mercy Me's "Bring the Rain." It's long been a favorite of mine, but this morning, the lyrics just drew me in.  Straight into my heart.  Here's a video with the song, I so recommend listening to it:

As I drove, this line in particular really struck me,

"I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above, because you are much greater than
my pain"

And the song goes on to say that there are going to be days in our lives that are filled with joy, and there are going to be days filled with pain, and to ask if the pain if what it takes to praise Jesus, then bring it on.  I was so struck by the songwriter's attitude in comparison with my own.  I asked God in that moment to give me whatever I needed today to bring Him praise.  I didn't know what the day had in store, but I knew that no matter what, God was in control and that his mercies are new every morning, and that I was wasting my morning.

I got to school, and received several pieces of information that hit like a ton of bricks.  Two students in our small school lost parents over the holiday, in very tragic ways.  I prefer not to say much more for the privacy of those involved, but know that it has caused a great deal of pain through our entire corporation, and a lot of people have been affected by the loss.  One of the students is a student I have had in class, and will have again later this year.  I have spent the whole day near tears for this young man.  I just can't begin to fathom what he is going through right now.  And my heart is absolutely breaking for him.  But my pain is nothing compared to the pain this family is feeling.  And so I remember I that, and I turn to the Lord and ask Him to comfort this sweet family.  To bring them joy, to bring them peace, to comfort them in their time of sorrow. 

As I process the events of the day and my own attitudes this morning, I am truly ready to ask God to bring me whatever it is I need to bring Him praise.  I want this to be a year spent for Christ, bringing Him glory in all situations.  Not a year spent with bad attitudes and self-pity.  Not a year spent complaining and moping, but a year spent loving and glorifying God.