God’s umbrella has kept me from getting soaked. It has given me peace, hope, and even joy in the midst of the hardest times I’ve ever faced. Several years ago God allowed a storm to brew in my life that I never expected. It began as a drop, became a drizzle, and finally the heavens opened, and I found myself in an outright downpour.
After my storm began, I spent a lot of time trying to make sense of things. How could a loving God let this happen? Why wasn’t He taking care of me? I still don’t have the answers to all of those questions, but I no longer wonder if God loves me. I can see His hand even in times of difficult . I can sense Him grieving with me when I’m sad. Most of all, I have His umbrella over me, and His presence with me. There’s a verse that says “His banner over me is love.” I have my own version of that verse now: “His umbrella over me is love!”
I’ve also come to believe we don’t have to wait for blue skies in order for God to use the rain that’s fallen in our lives. That can start right here, right now. So wherever you are and whatever your storm may be, know that you are not alone. God is with you, and He is whispering messages about the rain to your heart that will change your world forever if you only dare to believe them. I’m praying for you as I write these words, and I’ll still be praying for you as you read them.
–Excerpt from Under God’s Umbrella
Under God’s Umbrella is a new gift book edition of my first devotional book, Rain on Me. If you or anyone in your life is facing a storm, this is for you.
