There shall be showers of blessing

“April showers brings May flowers” has been a favorite of many gardeners for years. This short poem, that can trace its history all the way back to the 1500s, is a reminder that unpleasant things of life like the torrent of water of April that can dampen any day, as well as cause gloom to fall upon any happy soul, will bring about the beauty and brilliance of flowers – always a thing of joy for even the most negative of spirits. It is a reminder that behind every cloudburst there is something of beauty just waiting to spring forth.

Today’s blog actually started in my mind as one of my Facebook questions … “Where would you like the showers of God’s blessing to fall upon your life today?” As I began to think about it the answer came … EVERYWHERE … soak me through-and-through … don’t leave one little corner of my life dry … God, send your shower today and may it never stop!

And then I remembered an old gospel song that my first congregation introduced me to in the late 1960s. Over the years I have found myself breaking forth with the refrain when things seem to be going a little tough or, at a moment of great blessing like the birth of our children or the adoption of our youngest. The first Sunday in the new sanctuary at First UMC, Hudson was another occasion. It had been a labor of love, but a difficult journey for most of us for a variety of reasons. On that first Sunday were we had standing room only we were about 10 minutes into the service when the heavens opened up and a torrential downpour took place. On the spur of the moment, without any planning, I broke forth into this song. It just seemed like the right thing to do …

There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

And so, as we have been promised a shower or two today, from this little corner of Florida, if you listen very carefully you will hear at least one voice being raised to the heavens praying for a shower of God’s blessings to fall upon us all today … soaking us to the very core of our being.

Quote for today: One morning R.C. Chapman, a devout Christian, was asked how he was feeling. "I'm burdened this morning!" was his reply. But his happy countenance contradicted his words. So the questioner exclaimed in surprise, "Are you really burdened, Mr. Chapman?" "Yes, but it's a wonderful burden--it's an overabundance of blessings for which I cannot find enough time or words to express my gratitude!" Seeing the puzzled look on the face of his friend, Chapman added with a smile, "I am referring to Psalm 68:19, which fully describes my condition. In that verse the Father in heaven reminds us that He 'daily loads us with benefits.'" ~Source Unknown.