It is March, and if you live on the Oregon Coast that means one thing: Rain. 

Rain isn’t all bad. We all understand it keeps the beauty that surrounds our incomparable landscape green. We know it saturates the soil preparing it for a bountiful bearing of ferns, flowers, and fruits. We are thankful it lesssens the likelihood of a major forest fire. And, yes, we are aware that it helps power most of our state through hydroelectricty: Keeping our power bills among the lowest in the country. For all these things Western Oregonians are incredibly grateful. 

But, honestly, it has been raining here for six months. Oh, sure, we have had some breaks in the rain. There has been snow, sleet, and some new fangled precipitation termed by our meteorologists as “wintry mix.” A fancy word for, “We have no idea what exactly is going to be falling from the sky, but it will be wet and it will be cold.” 

In all fairness, we have had some sunny spells. But, they are so rare that we are nearly blinded by the light, because our eyes have adjusted to a dark, grey sky that is like a Thanksgiving guest that decides to stay–FOREVER! And, let me tell you, on those sunny days everybody is running outside hoping to catch some of those precious Vitamin D filled rays and seal them in some Mason jars for another day. Because, no Oregonian would ever be caught dead with plastic. Meanwhile, our children our donning shorts and asking to set up the pool. Yes, the sunshine here in the winter is a cause for great rejoicing.

So no matter how much we know the rain is a blessing from heaven, by March we are so done with it. And, I think most of us were done with it in January this particular year. In fact, anyone who can is escaping to sunnier climates just to stop the onslaught of wintry blues. Even those of us with the sunniest dispositions are finding ourselves reflecting the sky above: Grey, gloomy, and watering the earth with our tears. Lord, have mercy on us! I know you said it would “rain on the just and the unjust,” but hasn’t it rained enough? 

I am sure the last bit seems a little over dramatic, but if you don’t live on the Oregon Coast, then don’t judge. Walk six months, in the winter, in our rubber boots and see how you fare. Most of you would be fleeing by December. 

But, if I am completely honest, it is not just the rain that is getting to me. The rain is merely a metaphor for what is going on all around me. It seems the rains storms are without AND within. And right now I see very few sun breaks in the forecast. Just within my community and circle of friends I have heard of four attempted suicides in the last two weeks. Two were successful. But the devastation the attempts have left behind, is horrendous on all levels. We also know of several  people forty-five and younger who have unexpectedly died, leaving weeping widows and children, and so many “what ifs.” As if the deaths were not enough, we have friends, family and church family struggling financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. They are not suffering from little puddles in the road either. Their torrential rain has caused earth shaking landslides. Even our own family is recovering from a significant change of direction in the last year that has left us on a wilderness journey. And, frankly, in earthly terms we do not know where or when the “promised land” is supposed to appear. We are not even sure what it looks like.

So, the rain seems to relentlessly continue. It cares not that it damages the roads we travel. It does not stay from delaying, or canceling our  plans, hopes and dreams. And our tears seem to simply disappear in the deluge that surrounds us. Where is the sun? Can you even hear us through the clouds and pelting showers, Lord? Are Your only words for us blasting winds, bangs of thunder, and crashes of lightening? 

 I have no answers. But I have this Father who DOES have the answers.  I have this Savior that does not leave me alone in the rain. I have this Spirit that whispers hope.

Sometimes we think that God is either raining on us or shining on us. But, that is why He sent Jesus. Jesus came so that we could intimately know the Father through Him: ” And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world, ” I John 4:14 (Emphasis mine). Being a woman, I have not always understood a father’s heart. However, I have watched my husband with our children. He has taught me a father doesn’t just smile at or chide his children, he delights in simply being with his children. Faith in Christ brings us into a relationship with God the Father, AND an eternal invitation to fellowship with God the Father.

This Father delights in holding His children through the storms: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth those who fear Him,” ( Psalm 103:13).

This Savior promises His power to overcome the storms: “These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have trouble; BUT be of good cheer; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD, ” John 16:33 ( All emphasis mine).

This Spirit is the Comforter in the storm: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you, ” John 16: 7 ( Emphasis mine).

So, while I cannot tell you WHEN it is going to stop raining, I can tell you it WILL stop raining. Yes, the ground will still be sloppy for some time. Yes, the land may be forever changed due to the prolonged rains. And, yes, there will need to be time, effort, and resources spent to repair the damage from this season. But, the sun will come. It will cheer our spirits, warm our bodies, and kiss our tears. 

And there will be a day when the Son comes, and He will reign forever. That is the reign that holds all my dearest hopes. It is the reign that I will be glad there is no end, in any forecast–ever! 

The daffodils are blooming, friends. The sun is on its way, and so is the Son. Let’s prepare our hearts for the next season.