Sometimes, try as you might, you just can’t control things. I don’t know about you, but I like control over situations in my life. I like to fix what’s not right, repair the broken.
Lately God has been reminding me that no matter how much I want to be in control and no matter how much I think I’m in control, I’m really not at all. I’m just telling myself a big lie!
We had the most beautiful winter and early spring. Usually in Minnesota winter is harsh with below zero temps, blustery blizzards, and slick ice. But this past year was mild, at least in comparison. And spring came early which made me eager to get gardening. Our seedlings were doing well, I had the plots all laid out, and the ground was ready.
We spent hours planting, weeding, and tending. And then…
Then it started to rain. From the beginning of May until now, June 21st, we’ve had 40″ of rain! That’s almost 3 1/2 feet of rain! And it’s come in 3 and 4 and 7 inches at a time. Just this morning we had 3 more inches in 4 hours.
Needless to say, I’ve just stood and watched my garden go under. Every downpour it floods. Every rain storm more plants die. Only lettuce is thriving.
I want to fix it. I want to pump the water away somehow. I want to wish the rain away when I see it in the forecast.
As I feel panic rising with every new rainfall, I have to remind myself to breathe deeply and pray.
The first few floods, all I heard was raindrops splashing off every surface, thunder crashing, and running water trickling everywhere.
I don’t even know how many times our garden has been underwater now. Five, six, more?
Now in the midst of those devastating noises, I hear something else. Something better.
That still small voice that brings peace that surpasses understanding.
It’s often hard to hear in the rush of life when there are demands and noises all around us. Kids need something, another item is broken, people are causing chaos around us, the schedule is demanding we keep up, and on and on.
Do you ever stop to hear that still small voice? Do you hear Him calling you? I know I don’t listen for it at first. I have to be reminded somehow.
In the midst of this spring, He’s telling me to let go control, something I never had anyway.
Psalm 55:22 ESV
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
He’s asking me to let Him carry my anxiety because He loves me so much, He’s willing to do that.
1 Peter 5:7 ESV
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
He is speaking to me about how good, faithful and trustworthy He is, no matter what is happening around me.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Psalm 46:1 ESV
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Jeremiah 16:19 ESV
O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble
Psalm 91:1-2 ESV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
As I watch the garden go under, I hear Him remind me I can still trust Him. He is still on His throne, unmoved by man or weather or disaster.
I can honestly say I am truly sad right now. It’s so hard to watch something you’ve worked so hard for get destroyed. But I can also say I have a good, good God who loves me and knows exactly what I need.
Seek Him, read His Word, hide it in your heart, and ask Him to show to He is faithful. Life will bring trials and hardships. But God won’t change. He’ll always be there with you, walking you through, and showing you how much He loves you.
We can still grieve. We can mourn and shed tears. It’s ok to feel the hard. It’s just not ok to sit there forever. Feel it and then remind yourself of God’s truth and let that fill those places that are filled with the hard.
God is good, even when it rains.
Desired Haven Farm 