Youth Retreat: When it rains........

Speaking of things that almost didn't happen, our youth retreat to Panama City Beach seemed destined for disaster. The scheduler, planner, and organizer for the trip was caught between a baby and hard place not to go. His wife was in the hospital expecting their first child and was being monitored, due to high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. And although a tad early, she made her grand entrance into this world the evening before our trip. So he obviously wasn't going, no problem the other chaperones could handle it. But it also meant the head cook, who hadn't gotten the food yet, wouldn't be going since she is the grandmother. Add to the mix, that hard thunderstorms were crashing toward the Florida panhandle, in the area of the retreat, and reports of a tornado touching down had more than a few parents concerned. But God is so good. A woman who is busy most weekends, who just "happens" to have a great talent for cooking in these type situations, who just "happened" to be talking to one of the chaperones when we found out about the new need for a new cook, said yes. And although there were spots of rain during our trip there and back, we had absolutely gorgeous weather for 2 days.
I was reminded of how many times in my life when things didn't look so good from the onset, where events were planned or dreams were made. And at just the time when things are coming together, rain falls. Sometimes literally and spoils the planning. Or it rains figuratively and discouragement comes. Someone forgets to show up. Or you begin to doubt why you'd want to do this in the first place. And at that moment, all the external signs and most things logical seem to point to a hasty "retreat". To abandon the plans and stay home. But often stepping out in faith and going for it, allows God to work through the stumbling blocks that build up your spirit as well as your faith. There was no doubt that we were going to be safe and that we needed to be there, as I saw Him working out the details in front of my eyes. It refreshed my spirit, like rain always does.