It’s early Sunday morning and I have gotten out of bed before the alarm clock went off. Not even the coffee was ready and waiting for me as the autodrip had not even been called to begin.

I opened the back door to let the cool morning in, and was met by the soft sound, and the sweet smell, of a summer shower. The heavier downpours are yet to come as we are told by our local weatherman.

But for now, there is a peace which comes in the sights, sounds, and smells of the rain. My wind chimes also remind me the breeze is minimal as they calmly and quietly make their tune.

I sat to read, perhaps pray, as I recognize there is purpose in being woken from a sound sleep.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord;  listen to my plea! Answer me because you are faithful and righteous” (Psalm 143:1, NLT).

My prayers are not for myself but for orphans, and moms, and widows who faced unexpected medical challenges with no funds to cover the expenses. It’s for the school for teen moms, which still needs renovating so education and schooling can continue and be a source of hope. It’s for a spontaneous leadership opportunity for pastors and leaders so they would better be able to serve their own people.

My prayers are for The Lulu Tree and the “family” I have found there.

It’s been a dry summer here where I live in New England. The grass has begun to fade sooner than usual, perhaps the very reason the sound of rain is beautiful to hear.

And it’s been a drier month for The Lulu Tree. With the recurring needs to be met, and then the unexpected thrown in, I wonder how we will meet the needs this month.

As the founder and I share candidly of our concerns, we express our worries,  while encouraging one another. We make the decision – we will stay on our knees and in prayer – for God has always been faithful.

When there seems to be no help, no answer, or any solution, we learn to pray and pray more aggressively. We cast ourselves upon our faithful God, our Father, in complete trust.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).

God invites us into prayer, to give Him the weight and pressures of our worries.

The rain begins to come down a bit heavier now and I continue to read …

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you” (Psalm 143:8, NLT).

The sound of each drop brings the reminder of His unfailing love for the weak, for the needy, for us all. He has always made a way, bringing provision for the necessary and wisdom to release what is not to be at this time.

During his ministry, George Mueller faced many challenges, times he needed to rely on prayer and God alone. He once stated:

“God is sufficient – for anything … With every fresh trouble God has increased my faith.”
(from the biography, George Mueller by Faith Coxe Bailey, page 134)

As the challenges increased and more orphans were in need of a home, he vowed:

“George Mueller will keep right on working to bring more to the name of the Lord. That He may be look at, magnified, admired, trusted in, and relied on at all times for everything.” (from page 135)

It is now Tuesday and the phone rings. It is the voice of a partner calling to encourage because God has moved upon their hearts. My response can only be praise to our God, who alone knew our needs and what was needed:

“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day, yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.” (Psalm 145:1-3, NLT)

No matter what we may be facing today, may we stand and say:
“With every fresh trouble God has increased my faith.”

https://youtu.be/pT9Qn22cpno

Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Let’s Have Coffee and Woman to Woman and Recharge Wednesday .