We have all heard the old saying, “April showers bring May flowers.” April has truly shown out so far this year. We have had more rain than I can remember in recent years. Our yard looks like we are digging a pond. Our little papillon is going through withdraws from not being able to play outside. We know eventually the rain will end and the glorious sunshine of summer will be beaming down upon us.
An umbrella cannot stop the rain, but it allows us to stand in the rain. Much like that umbrella, our faith in God may not remove the trials of our lives but it gives us strength to overcome them. When we become a Christian, we are not suddenly blessed with a life free of pain and trials. In fact, the opposite is sometimes true. It came seem at times that the devil is coming at us from every side; the trials seem to just keep piling up, much like the puddles in my yard.
So far this month, the rain in my life has been pouring. About two weeks ago, I noticed some strange vision in my right eye. It was if I was looking out of a window covered in a foggy film. I could not see, with or without my glasses or contacts. I went to the eye doctor and was immediately sent to a retina specialist. Turns out, I have a condition called central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO). Basically, a vein behind my eye decided to close and the blood now has no way of leaving my eye. Believe it or not, it is a common occurrence and is treatable. The treatment isn’t pleasant, but sometimes to achieve what we want, we have to endure unpleasant things.
For the next year, I will get to see my new best friend, my retina doctor, and with a little treatment and a lot of prayers, we are hoping for my vision to return. I am holding on to my umbrella super tight and have faith that this trial will pass much like the rain in April.
To add insult to injury this morning, as I am writing this, my left toenail came off my big toe. At this point, the devil is just getting on my last nerve. Everyone that knows me knows that I love to wear flipflops and keep my toes painted for spring and summer. Now, I have a big toe missing a toenail. Little does the devil know that I am just going to paint my nail-less toenail and wear the cute sandals and flipflops anyway.
My toenail will grow back. My vision may or may not return to its former place. But I still know that God is good. These setbacks that I am currently enduring will not break my faith and trust in the Lord. I will continue to hold my head up and keep that umbrella held high.
I hope that you and your family are making it through these rainy times without getting too wet. This week’s recipe is for a yummy cake, appropriately named, Sunshine Cake. The oil in the cake is replaced with applesauce making it a guilt free way to enjoy a sweet treat. We love it in our house, and I know you will love it too.
“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I set it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
April 19, 2024
