The last of the drama students vanished from the classroom into the school hallway.  Brett grabbed his backpack and we headed down the hallway to the front door.  Brett stopped at the front door to whine, “I can’t go outside, it’s raining!”  I opened the door and replied, “You have no sense of adventure!”  Aspen and I laughed as we splashed through the water in the parking lot.  I’m not sure what Brett said, but it probably went along with his previous belief that he couldn’t go out in the rain.  If anyone was in danger of melting I’m sure it was me!  I’m sure I’m a little more salty than he is sweet. 

When we pulled up in the drive way the rain renewed its passion for falling from the sky.  Brett commented as he ran through the door that the raindrops had grown in size no doubt as a result of his previous comments about the weather.  The puddles resembled small ponds and the rain whooshed off the roof in front of the door like a water fall.  As I ran under it I discovered it had far more water pressure than the shower in our house!  Our jackets were soaked and we hung them up to dry.  Brett and Aspens hair looked like they had just stepped out of the shower. 

When I awoke this morning the wind swirled like a jet stream through the trees surrounding our house.  After lunch I received at least half a dozen weather updates to my phone warning of flash floods and flooding in the area.  But now the sky is nearly dark and the leaves on the trees barely flutter with the wisp of a breeze.  The ground is wet, but that is a good thing since it will provide life to the plants.  Brett and Aspen sit cozied up together on the couch watching “Martha Speaks” on PBS and while my hair no longer resembles the perfect smoothness of being flat ironed this morning, thanks to the effects of the second shower I received today, we weathered the storm and things are calm and peaceful once again.

If you have ever read through Psalms you will notice that David writes from one extreme to the next.  He is either praising God for his strength, power and glory or he is in the depths of despair waiting for God to save him from his enemies.  My days are often like the weather today, sometimes up and sometimes down but I really like what David says in Psalm 40:2, “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.”  I thank God for His perfect timing, in the storms and in the peace!

I had a couple of books on hold for me at the library so I had decided to tag along with Brett while he ran errands this afternoon.  The library, being the closest place on our agenda became our first stop.  Unfortunately for Brett, who was driving, we ended up in a long slow line of cars behind a large farm vehicle.   When we finally were freed from the snail pace of following a farmer’s combine, Brett zoomed over to the library.  Panick struck us both at the same time.  After enduring that torturous drive, we pulled into an empty parking lot at the local library, usually a sure sign there is no life to be found.  How could this be?  It was 3:00 in the afternoon!  It wasn’t possible!  However, we now live in Hagerstown, MD where this very kind of thing happens all too often.  I hesitated before I stepped out of the car.  Library card in hand I made my way to the library entrance with hope that the doors were unlocked.  When I arrived to the door I could see that the inside lights were on and the door sign indicated “Open”.  I sighed with relief, Brett’s torturous five-mile drive would not be for naught. 

Appearances can be deceiving.  Take for example the story of “The Good Samaritan”.  A traveler, robbed and beaten, lay next to the road.  A priest, in today’s world just picture the pastor of the church you go to, took a quick look and passed by on the other side of the road.  Some time later a Levite, this time picture a church helper you know, possibly a deacon or teacher, who also averted his eyes and passed by on the other side of the road.  The priest and the Levite were people who you would expect to stop and help someone in need. 

The wounded man must have closed his eyes in despair and given up all hope for rescue when he saw the Samaritan.  Jewish and Samaritan religious leaders taught that it was wrong to interact with the opposite group.  Even speaking to one another was considered wrong.  But, the Samaritan cleaned and bandaged the beaten mans wounds and paid for his care at a hotel. 

God must have smiled when he saw the despised Samaritan save the life of his enemy.  How frustrated He must have been to see His recognized workers avoid loving another child He had created.