One of my favorite things about rain is the freshness it brings. After a heavy rain, the earth just feels cleansed and refreshed. In some ways, I feel that way about the beginning of a new year too. There's something held within the stigma of a year that is hard to shake in the midst of it. As I reflected upon the lessons that I had learned in 2016, I grew a little frustrated. Not over the fact that the lessons I learned were hard, because they were, but that I wasn't further along. I bought into the lie that social media presents of perfection and progress. I began to fear that because my life path was different, it was wrong. I felt behind and I felt confused. However, a dear friend reminded me that no matter what our circumstances may be, God is working in our lives. I had to step back and remember that the rain does end. The clouds may be dark and the rain may be steady, but even though the storm isn't finished yet, that's okay.

Recently, I've been rereading the story of Esther. Each time I delve into her life, I seem to come away with a new truth. As I struggle and wrestle through the lessons God is teaching me, He calls me to be obedient. I know what His Word says and what He calls me to do. It is my responsibility to be faithful and turn my heart fully towards Him, especially in the hurt. When she became queen, Esther had no idea of what she would be called to do. She moved forward in faith and when God called, she courageously obeyed.

"For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish."

Esther 4:14,16 (ESV)

God has a distinct history of providing for His people the help that they need exactly when they need it. I am confident in my God's ability to see me through the storm. Even in the moments where it seems the downpour is limitless, He holds the umbrella steadfastly over my head, taking the brunt of the uncomfortable, the sorrow, the frustration, and the hurt. He is faithful to those that are faithful. His words have been a healing balm to my weary soul. I do not have to carry the burdens alone. My foundation has been built, so let the rains come.

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Matthew 7: 24-25 (ESV)