Is crisis too strong a word? The 4/10 of an inch of water dumped out of the rain gauge this morning really was not very much. . .except that was added to 4/10 yesterday and 4/10 the day before and 4/10 the day before that seemingly every day back to the middle of April. For farmers, the crisis is unprecedented. Some years planting is finished early, other years later, but there has never had a year when nothing or next to nothing was planted. Construction workers hampered by the weather are frustrated as are others in our area whose livelihood depends on sunshine and dry weather.

It may be little consolation, but the Bible has a story where it rained longer and harder–forty days and forty nights–until the whole earth was covered (Genesis 7:17-20). Noah and the other seven survivors of humanity lived in a floating barn. They worked hard, and the gloomy weather was uninterrupted by sunshine. In the Spartan, cramped quarters, they were getting on each others nerves.  Even after it stopped raining, they were still floating on an endless ocean. When they finally ran aground on Mount Ararat, they had to stay on board because they were surrounded by muck (8.4). Would they ever get off the ship?  It had been more than a stinking year.

After waiting, Noah sent out a raven, which turned out to be a poor choice. It feasted on plentiful rotting remains and never returned (8.7). After another week, Noah sent out a dove. Finding nothing to eat, the dove came back (8.8-9). A week later, the dove was re-released and brought back a fresh olive branch and a sprig of hope since things were beginning to sprout (8.10-11). After seven more days, the dove was sent out. It found a place to nest and fresh food to eat, so it never returned (8.12).

Around here, it has rained for a long time. We keep hoping for a dry spell so planting and other work can get done, but after a couple of dry days, the rain and puddles return.

We keep sending out doves, but they keep coming back. What do you do when the doves keep coming back?

We pray for dry weather, but it seems like our prayers have not worked.

Paul had what he called “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The issue that harassed Paul is unknown. He prayed three times that the Lord would remove it, but that affliction was never taken away. (12:8) Paul’s response is a beautiful affirmation of faith. God tells him, “My grace is sufficient for you” (12:9)

The dove keeps coming back, and we pray for dry weather. We do not think our prayers work, but God answers, “My grace is sufficient for you”.

Is it? Have you gotten to the place where no matter the physical rainstorm nor the metaphorical lifestorm that God’s grace is sufficient to sustain your faith and give you an adequate measure of peace? If not, keep praying. Pray until you pray through and find “the peace of God which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

After de-arking, the first things Noah and his family did were worship and offer sacrifices to the Lord. (Genesis 8:20) The Lord responded with his never-flood-the-earth-again covenant and the first-ever rainbow. (9.13) Noah and his wife, his three sons and their wives, oohed and aahed. The beautiful sight filled them with hope, and ever since, the rainbow is a traditional Judeo-Christian symbol of hope.

Several days ago, I saw a rainbow. My heart was inspired, as I enjoyed God’s gift of beauty. (That is my typical response every time I see a rainbow.)

What do you do when the dove keeps coming back?

I do not want to be simplistic in the midst of crisis. The continual rain and prospects of red numbers on your balance sheet try to push you toward fear, but whether that storm is a physical rainstorm or a metaphorical lifestorm: Pray, depend upon the Lord’s sufficient grace, a keep hope alive!