Showers of Blessin’

Well, now, merciful heavens, Butterbean, come on oer’ here an’ pull up a comfy rocker so’s you can be ‘a-gittin settled in real good like a lil’ ol’ bullfrog on a lily pad ‘cause we’re ‘bout to be ‘a-splashin’ right into the goodness of 1 John 5:14-15 that tells us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” That there verse lands softer than a feather’ a-floatin’ off a barn roof, yet it sho’-nuff’ carries more power than a lil’ ol’ rooster that jus’ discovered his own echo.

Now let me be ‘a-tellin’ you, Butterbean, folks have a real love for measurin’ things. We be ‘a-measurin’ rain, we be ‘a-measurin’ biscuits, we be ‘a-measurin’ how many times that one o’ them there squirrels raids a bird feeder to steal the birdseed. But did you know that a raindrop ‘a-fallin’ from a cloud ‘bout 2,500 feet up in the sky takes ‘bout two minutes to bop you right on the nose? That there’s science.

But when it done comes to prayer, God don’t need two minutes. He’s ‘a-hearin’ you faster than a lil’ ol’ raccoon can be ‘a-sniffin’ out an unguarded skillet o’ fresh-baked cornbread. Isaiah 65:24 done says that God sometimes answers our prayers even ‘a-fore we ask Him. Sometimes He done answers instantly like He did for Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6. Other times He done has us a-waitin’ on Him to answer like Psalm 27:14 says ‘cause He’s a-workin’ behind the scenes, alignin’ blessings like a farmer linin’ up hay bales ‘a-fore a big thunderstorm.

E. E. Byrum once said some folks live so far below God’s truth that their blessin’s come ‘bout as often as a polite goose that don’t even know what being nice is. In other words, they be ‘a-prayin’ only once in a blue moon, and then they be ‘a-wonderin’ why the heavens done sound so much quieter than a lil’ ol’ mouse ‘a-tiptoein’ through a pantry. But when we git to prayin’ consistently, continuously, and confidently, God done sends answers like beautiful rain showers from that there sky. Sometimes a lil’ ol’ sprinkle. Sometimes a great big ol’ downpour. But it’s always right on time.

F. B. Meyer said the greatest tragedy is not unanswered prayer, but it’s the unoffered prayer. If you’re ’a-wantin’ an answer, you gotta be askin’ first. That there will be ‘a-stickin’ to your ribs like grits left way too long on the stove.

Father, help me be a-prayin’ with confidence, not hesitation. Teach me to be ‘a-trustin’ Your timing, whether You be answerin’ quick as a rabbit or slow as a turtle. Be ‘a-keepin’ my heart real expectant and my faith real steady. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now Buttercup, as you think ‘bout ‘a-steppin’ right back into your day, you gotta be ‘a-knowin’ that God’s answers may not fall like raindrops on your schedule, but they’re always gonna be ‘a-landin’ ‘zactly where they need to be ‘a-fallin’. His timing is wiser than an ol’ barn owl and steadier than a hundred year old oak tree. So, keep ‘a-askin’, keep ‘a-trustin’, and keep ‘a-lookin’ up. ‘Cause somewhere above you, a real sweet blessin’ is already a-fallin’, ‘a-pickin’ up speed, and ‘a-headin’ straight for your nose.

With joy,

Gwen