YGT: Singing in the Rain (A New Baby!)

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 

Matthew 5:45b

In life, there are moments of intense pain, loss, and tragedy; the car accidents that rob parents of children or the diseases that stubbornly evade a cure.  Then there are moments of great joy; walking across a stage at graduation or the birth of a child.

In my family's life, we have recently experienced great pains and great blessings.  We continue to hope for relief for our Granny's Alzheimer's.  Like many, there always seems to be more month than money.  At the same time we are also celebrating the news that we're having another baby soon... (wait, what?!) Yes, we're pregnant!!!!!

Of course, this is AMAZING news.  We're overjoyed and can't wait for the next addition to our family (who is due this December).  However, it's sobering to remember that many people don't have the opportunity to have children, have complicated pregnancies, or struggle to raise their children.  How can I be ungrateful about what happens in my life when I've been so blessed?  If I don't complain about the joys why do I complain about the pains?  (Many of my complaints could likely be classified as "first world problems" - thanks T.K.)

When disappointment rains down, rather than opening an umbrella of pity, why not just let it fall on us?  If it's gonna fall anyway, why not try singing in the rain?  I sing because relief is on the way.  I sing because rain is a sign that God is still on the throne.  I sing because new life is on the way!  

So, back to the title... when it rains, open your mouth and sing!!!  Need a song?  How about the classic "I Won't Complain".  Here's a version by John Legend...

Lord, please forgive us for complaining about what we go through when others suffer so much.  Thank you for the gift of a new life.  We're blessed to be stewards of Your glory.  Please reveal Yourself to us again.  Until we see Your face, we'll be singing while You reign... Amen.

Saying thank You Lord,

j.a.g.

On Big Words

Incredibly, indelibly, large language
Complicates things.
Inevitably, inherently, small thoughts
Hide behind vast verbiage.

Every now and then,
In between the syllables,
Ever pause and think:
Why, the big words?




When I want to say something simple, my education or intellect (or perhaps some pride) searches for a way to over-say it. To dig into the depths of the dictionary for an obscure dialectical discovery. However, the beauty of language is not in how big your words can be, but in how you can communicate what you feel. Some of the smallest words have the strongest meaning… "If", "Yes", "No", "Ow", "I", "You", "God". Yet, we spend our time trying to convince ourselves and others of the amount of big words we know. The point for me? If it is not necessary, don't use it. I have to learn to let my yea be yea, my nay be nay, and nothing else (Matthew 5:37 below). Colorful language is fine for literature, fine for poetry, and even fine for certain conversations (ever try explaining the periodic table in under 200 impossible terms?). However, big words should never substitute for the wisdom in keeping it simple.

As we grow in faith, don't forget the little words. Never get too big for the words that communicate how you feel. The words that cried for salvation, "God, I need you". The words that confirmed your marriage, "I do." The words that show your gratitude, "Thank you". The words that move you from affection to action, "I love you". The words that acknowledge your imperfections, "I'm sorry". These are the words that mean the most to God, they should mean the most to us.



Lord, I pray we don’t lose sight of you in the middle of our learning. I pray our words don’t get so big that our hearts can't understand them. I pray our children are not won over by our eloquence, but by our simple honesty. May we remember the beauty in the small sayings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.



Listening,



j.a.g.






Proverbs 29:12-14
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?


Matthew 5:37
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.