Let it Rain!

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain. It hasn't rained at all in months here in California. We are currently in the worst drought in the history of keeping weather records apparently. Frankly, I've loved not having rain -- it makes my life as a mother easier. There is less to clean and the winter doesn't seem so dreary. In fact, I had hardly noticed how long we had gone without rain until the Bishop read a message from our Area Authority last week asking us to participate in a state-wide fast for rain. All week long the California drought has been a top news story. The reservoir where we get our drinking water is at 3%. Some cities have reported that they only have 2 to 3 months of drinking water left before they will have to import it from outside of California. Water prices are about to soar. The Catholic church asked their parishioners to pray for rain as well. Many are concerned. Truly the situation is dire.

I spent the week changing my attitude because I found myself hesitant to pray for rain. I know we need it, but sometimes we don't always want the things we know we need. As usual, God will take us wherever we are and, if we are willing, will help us move as close to Him as we want to be. So I began my fast last night that it will rain because that is what I should do and where my heart should be. I did it and am doing it and, amazingly, in the doing God somehow softens my heart. It's always in the doing where real change occurs. You have to start moving your feet in the right direction. Like Indian Jones taking that leap of faith. But I digress...

So there was no rain in the forecast for today. The news stories said that unless an unexpected change in the weather occurred there would be no rain. News reporters may know weather and weather patterns, but I know God and God's patterns. Fasting unitedly as a group of believers for a purpose is powerful. It is powerful. It is also pouring outside this morning. God didn't even make his people wait. Perhaps he only wanted us to ask; to become aware; to care.

Coupled with this fast for rain has been a family fast for Clint. Clint has had severe wrist pain over the last couple of years that has led to a diagnosis of a very rare disease (Kleinboch's) where some of the tiny bones in his wrist are disintegrating. If left untreated, his wrist will collapse and he will be unable to use his right hand for the rest of his life. He is only 17.

To add a level of difficulty to the scenario, treating the condition is iffy at best. There are a few surgical options, but not one of them can assure Clint's complete recovery. The doctors have told Clint that he most likely will not play tennis again, which is sad because he was well on his way to a college scholarship (placed 8th in State Championships last year!); not to mention that he just loves to play tennis. And he is months away from serving a mission. There is no telling how this disease might affect where and when he might be able to serve the Lord.

So Cord, Gayla, and Clint chose one of their iffy options based on doctor recommendation and Clint had the surgery two days ago. The surgery went well and Clint is now recovering. It will take time to determine how effective the surgery was in abating the disease and its effects. So we continue to fast for Clint's full recovery.

When I woke up this morning to the sound of rain my first thoughts were of Clint. If people can come together as a community and unify their faith so as to call down rain from Heaven, certainly a family can come together and unify their faith so as to call down healing from Heaven. If God can make it rain, God can heal Clint's hand. The sound of rain this morning felt like an outward symbol of the inward workings going on inside Clint's wrist at this very moment. The sound of rain reminded me that God is quick to answer our prayers and knows what we need; that for every moment we can see God with our eyes, there are thousands more where we can see Him with our hearts -- if only we choose to feel Him. The sound of rain sounded like Christ teaching, "If ye have faith as a mustard seed, ye can move mountains."

I heard God today in every raindrop that hit our roof.

Truly, faith is followed by miracles. I expect to see God work a miracle with Clint.