Praising in the Rain

These are the words to a song that has had a lot of meaning in our life the past few days. It is written by the Christan group Mercy Me and is titled "Jesus Bring the rain".


"I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You
with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds
that may loom above because
you are much greater than my pain
you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny
so tell me whats a little rain

[1st Chorus]

Holy, holy, holy
Holy, holy, holy
is the lord God almighty
is the lord God almighty
I'm forever singing

[2nd Chorus 2x]

everybody singing
Holy holy holy
you are holy
you are holy"

We are currently evacuated from our home and staying at my mom and dad's. Yesterday morning around 10 AM the phone call came to "evacuate immediately." We knew it was coming--we just thought it would be later in the day. The most interesting twist on all this--our house was supposed to have a second showing to a very interested buyer at noon that very day. We know the Lord Almighty is in control and we cannot worry. How very hard it was for me running around getting my house ready to show (the realtor said, "We're coming as long as the roads are driveable.") and also packing up to evacuate. We had to run up the hill to Ezra's dentist appointment, so we packed up the car, jumped in and drove away. I've never seen the river rise so fast. I've never watched it by daylight. I've never before felt the emotion hit me quite like it did yesterday when I saw my neighbor's home once again invaded by muddy swirling waters. I've never before seen 30 foot uprooted trees hurtling downstream. I've never before with my own eyes witnessed people running in and out of their homes with belongings packing a moving truck while waters already lapped at their door. I've never cried and prayed while driving out of town.
After Ezra's appointment, morbid curiosity drove me down the hill to see if the road was yet closed. It wasn't. I drove home, ran inside for the camera I had forgotten. I did not grab the cord in my haste--so no pictures, folks. This time I wasn't so emotional, but it was still unbelievable. I left the second time at about 11:45. The news reported roads closed around noon. Praise the Lord my curiosity didn't keep us in town for the duration. As I drove away I felt as though I was abandoning our home. Silly, it's just a piece of wood, so to speak. The most important things in our life were safe with me in the car, buckled into their seats, blissfully unaware (somewhat--Ezra kind of gets it).
Our next door neighbors are home and we call frequently. She says she doesn't think the water is IN our home, but it's close. We won't know until Tadd goes back to look tonight--if the roads are open. She sounds discouraged and says she thinks it's the worst she's seen. Last night she measured 31 inches of water in her basement. The river crested last night and is receding slowly today.
Thank you all for your prayers. We don't know what we'll find tonight. But we pray that we will have the grace to PRAISE no matter what we find. The trying of our faith is more precious than gold--this we read--now we may know.