When Heaven Pours
My stars, Butterbean, come on up here right now and take a comfy seat on this here front porch. I done got somethin’ real good to be ‘a-sharin’ with you that’s a whole lot better’n gossip, an’ it’s twice as true. Well, git ready ‘cause Ephesians 1:3 is ‘a-comin’ ‘a-swoopin’ in calm an’ quiet as a lil’ ol’ chicken hawk ‘a-watchin’ the world from the top of a cedar tree. This here verse is ‘a-tellin’ us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” an’ it’s done packed tighter than grandma’s Sunday casserole dish, too.
In Ephesians 1:3-14, Paul starts ‘a-remindin’ us that God has been ‘a-pourin’ out blessin’s on His people since ‘a-fore the foundation of this here ol’ world. That there done means ‘a-fore there even was any dirt, ‘a-fore there was any cows ‘a-moo-in’, ‘a-fore there was any squirrels ‘a-stealin’ birdseed, God had already done chosen you in Christ. He’d done adopted you, done redeemed you, done forgave you, and done stamped you accepted in the Beloved. That there’s better’n ‘a-findin’ out that your name is done on the church potluck list right next to the homemade banana puddin’.
Now, lots o’ folks get all excited ‘bout them there thunderstorms. They done git ta’ rumblin’, they git ta’ flashin’, they done git ta’ shakin’ the windows, and they done git ta’ makin’ the family dog git ta’ tremblin’ like a leaf in a big ol’ windstorm. But do you be ‘a-knowin’ that there are ‘bout two thousand thunderstorms ‘a-happenin’ on this here ol’ earth at any given moment every doggone day? That there’s a whole lot of sky ‘a-grumblin’, ain’t it? Yet even that there can’t compare to the constant showers of spiritual blessin’s that our God is ‘a-rainin’ down on His children at every single day.
Be ‘a-thinkin’ ‘bout it, Butterbean. We’ve got peace, joy, forgiveness, grace, wisdom, fellowship with Him. An’ that’s jus’ the start. Eternity has done got even more, and it’s all ‘a-comin’ your way ‘cause you’re done ‘a-belongin’ to Jesus.
So, don’t you be ‘a-frettin’ when life done gits ta’ feelin’ real stormy. God’s good blessin’s ain’t like a summer shower that jes’ comes and goes. God’s good blessin’s are real steady, generous, and ‘a-pourin’ straight out from heaven right on into your lil’ ol’ heart. You’re ‘a-livin’ under a real holy downpour, Butterbean, an’ that there forecast is ‘a-callin’ for more.
Father, I be ‘a-thankin’ You for every spiritual blessin’ You’ve done been ‘a-pourin’ over my life. Be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ‘a-noticin’ ‘em, cherishin’ ‘em, and ‘a-walkin’ in ‘em each day. Be ‘a-keepin’ my heart real grateful an’ my eyes real fixed on Christ, my only redemption and my only hope. In Jesus name, Amen.
Before you go ta’ steppin’ off this here porch and ‘a-gittin’ back to whatever is ‘a-hollerin’ for your attention, Butterbean, let this truth be ‘a-settlin’ in your soul like a stone ‘a-sinkin’ to the bottom of a still pond. You jes’ gotta’ be ‘a-knowin’ that God’s blessin’s ain’t flimsy like a lil’ ol’ scarecrow ‘a-standin’ real crooked in the wind. They’re real strong, steady, and faithful, They’re ‘a-shinin’ brighter than a big ol’ cornfield plum full o’ fireflies on a warm summer night, ‘a-remindin’ you that you ain’t never ‘a-gonna’ be ‘a-steppin’ into a single day without His goodness ‘a-coverin’ you from top o’ your head to the tip o’ your toe.
With joy,
Gwen
