Raining love?: Devotions from the Road of Life

“The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.” Deuteronomy 28: 12, King James Version

The rain pours right now, lightning flashing and thunder rumbling in a full-out Southern thunderstorm. The results of the rain will be growth and blossoming for the plants, nourishment for livestock and replenishment for rivers, streams and reservoirs. The temperature drops a few degrees, a pleasant change on a hot August day.

As heaven pours out its gift of life-giving water, I can’t help but wonder what I pour out on those around me. Am I covering others in God’s love, refreshing them with a reminder of his ever-present care? Or am I spilling out anger and vitriol, doing more of Satan’s work than the Lord’s?

How easily I find myself falling into that particular ugly puddle of wickedness! If I take my eyes off the King, how quickly the world jumps up to fill my vision. He has promised His nourishing rain, but too often I put up an umbrella and divert His love. I must make a concentrated effort to focus on His will and His work if I am to spread His love.

What are you spreading to those around you? Do you rain love or anger, encouragement or destruction? 

Father, I thank You for the blessing of rain to replenish, refresh and nourish the world. Help me to be Your rain to others, spreading Your love to all I encounter. Amen.

Laying Up Treasures (Number 3 in a series)

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6: 19-21 (NIV)


For four nights, I unloaded the rooftop container on the car and carried the duffel bags into my motel of the evening. For four mornings, I carried them back out and repacked the rooftop carrier. I must have made quite a sight: an overweight middle-aged woman dragging a series of tightly packed bags in and out of the local budget motel! Along with the bags, there was my little dog and her gear.

Other than my laptop computer, my purse and Shady’s food and medicine, I wasn’t taking anything from the interior of the car. All of those contents stayed put. One of the items was a portable ice chest. It was so buried under other things, I wasn’t been able to add ice to it or get any of the beverages out of it the whole trip. Snacks I had purchased to eat in lieu of buying meals along the way were likewise buried in the depths of the back seat. I could only hope the rain I’d experienced the first three days hadn’t ruined everything.

Looking back on my folly, I was reminded again of the uselessness of trying to acquire “things” here on earth. In the process of packing up for this move I had given away a large number of items. Another list of things had been damaged through mishaps and discarded. Of all the things I had owned, only a few had made it to the point of the move and now some of them were in danger of being lost to water damage or mildew.

There will always be something threatening the security of worldly possessions: natural disaster, theft, financial hardship. No complete safety is available here in this life. Only in Jesus Christ can we find shelter from the ills of the world. I’m so grateful to have a Savior who offers me eternal security in His arms.

Where do you look for your security? Are you counting on possessions or people like government leaders? Do you depend on your net worth? Take time today to look to the true Source of all security: Jesus Christ. Those under His care know true safety.

© 2008 Mary Beth Magee

Dampened Spirits (Number 2 in a series)

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5: 16-18 (NIV)


For my first three days on the road, I was in rain, often coming down hard enough to obscure visibility. I fretted about the damage that might be done to the things I had on top of the car. I worried about missing a directional sign. I griped to God about the danger of driving in such weather and the time I would lose because of it.

Another problem soon became apparent: the nylon straps I had used to secure my “do-it-yourself” roof rack passed through the interior of the car and acted as wicks to bring the rain inside. The water followed the dictates of gravity and sought the lowest point. For one of the straps, that point was right over the front seat! Another crossed through the car in the back. Now I had to worry not only about my belongings on the roof, but also my dog, the things inside the car and myself. The whole world seemed to be perpetually damp. I prayed for the rain to stop.

Watching the news in my motel room on the second night, I heard the broadcaster report on the happiness of area farmers and ranchers over the much-needed rain. I felt instantly ashamed of myself. What I perceived to be a trial, someone else received as a huge blessing.

Isn’t that often the issue with us? The circumstances aren’t the problem so much as our reaction to those circumstances. Perhaps that’s why we have to be reminded to keep an “attitude of gratitude.” We are easily distracted from seeing God’s blessings as we get caught up in the cares of the world.

How often have you complained about something, only to find out later it was a blessing in disguise? In this Thanksgiving month, resolve to heed 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18 and give thanks in everything.

© 2008 Mary Beth Magee