Into each life, some rain must fall

     

     Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, a 1944 duet performed by the Ink Spots, featured Bill Kennedy and Ella Fitzgerald: 

Into each life some rain must fall, 

Into each heart some tears must fall. 

But, someday the sun will shine.   

     We all have experienced disquieting times in our lives when our heart feels like it is filled with cold, rainy showers instead of warmth and sunshine permeating our souls. Only occasionally this happens to me, but last week, for a time, I felt a little cast down. 
     

     Most of September I was dealing with health issues, nothing too serious, but I was occupied with appointments: tests, X-rays, etc., so, perhaps all this didn't help. 

   
     I turned in my Bible and then felt a little reprimanded, as I read from Psalm 42:5... "Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God." 

     
     

     I heard that when a sheep is on its back (cast down), it is unable to turn over and get up. 
     It will lie there and eventually die unless the shepherd comes and helps it turn over.    
     



     

     Likewise, I was reminded I have a Shepherd who cares about me when I am 'cast down' or 'down cast'. 

     
     



     I also read in the aforementioned verse... 

     "I remember... how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and thanksgiving." 

     With my days of pain and discomfort, I realized I had not been to the "house of God" (my church) all month — not my usual practice! 
     Today, as I joined with my friends in worship again, I was reminded whose child I am. 
     Who could not have a grateful heart when singing that age old hymn... 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, 
There is no shadow of turning with Thee; 
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; 
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. 

     "The Lord's... compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  

— Lamentations 3:23

     

     So, it is He who raises me up when I am down, as Josh Groban reminds me in the song that he sings so beautifully.

    You Raise Me Up   

When I am down, and Oh my soul so weary; 
When troubles come and my heart burdened be; 
Then I am still and wait here in the silence, 
Until you come and sit awhile with me.  
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; 
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas; 
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders; 
You raise me up...
To more than I can be.    

     

     People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed. 

— beulah