Once a month my husband and I join a group of volunteers at the Ocean City Ecumenical Council’s Food Cupboard to deliver food to clients who lack the ability to get to the Food Cupboard to pick up their once-a-month supply. This duty takes less than an hour of our time and it is for a good purpose.
Last month we delivered food in a torrential downpour in which we were walking in water up to our ankles. We were totally unprepared for the deluge and when we finally got home every piece of clothing including our coats had to be laundered as they were soaked through.
This month food delivery hit another tremendously stormy day. As I was preparing what to wear this time I sat down and asked God if he would give us an hour’s break from the rain to deliver the food. I had prayed last month too but on the fly as we were running through the water.
This month as I was preparing to pray, the Holy Spirit reminded me that the Apostle James told us that we have not because we ask not or we ask with the wrong motive. So, I reviewed the motive for my prayer, was it selfish or was it for the benefit of others and would it honor God?
As I sat before the Father’s throne I reiterated to Him our needs – which He already knew. Most of our delivery people are seniors and they are using their own cars. Each one is susceptible to being injured carrying heavy bags of canned goods. With the rain and trying to get the deliveries over quickly one of us might shortcut on safety. We could catch some nasty cold after being soaking wet for an hour. Also, the delivery bags and contents get wet and we deliver paper goods as well as canned goods. Of all these things God was already aware.
The Holy Spirit brought to mind that God parted the Red Sea and so stopping the storm for one hour was no hard task for Him. I also praised God for His past wonders and prayed for another. I was reminded that Elijah prayed to stop the rain and then start it again after a three-year drought and his requests were answered. Thanking God for His previous responses to His people I asked boldly for the rain to stop just for an hour.
As I prayed I thanked God that this was a task that would bless us and those receiving the food deliveries and thanked Him for what He has done and will do for all of us. It always is wonderful speaking to my Father and, whatever the answer, I was ready with my boots, longer rain gear and hat this time.
As I drove to the Food Cupboard the flooding from the overwhelmed storm sewers was everywhere and I had to zigzag in the streets to reach my destination. One drain I passed was shooting water at least a foot into the air as the water coming through the storm drain from the bay was trying to find an outlet to the ocean but instead was hitting the street runoff and ended up releasing the bay waters in a fountain-like manner.
By the time I pulled into the parking lot at the Food Cupboard the rain was so light it appeared to have stopped. A hat and umbrella were all that were needed. The wind had subsided and the air was much calmer. Isn’t our God wonderful? I had to praise and thank Him the whole delivery time and on my way home I actually broke into tears at the realization of how much our Father actually loves us that He will stop the wind and rain just because I asked.
That made me think of the story of Jesus walking on the water as the Disciples who were in the boat fought the wind and waves until Jesus climbed into the boat. Oh, we of little faith. Oh, that we would just ask our Lord for blessings and we will see that He will overwhelm us with His love. Our Heavenly Father is exceedingly generous to His children.
Did God not tell us about the blessings He has for us when we obey? In Malachi He said, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”
Blessings pouring from the windows of heaven – if we obey His Word. What a wonderful, generous God we serve.
ED. NOTE: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.
