So the last couple of days have been historic days in the weather record books for the NE.  On average 7 inches of rain fell here and around about in 48 hours.  More rain than needed meant overflowing river banks, basement flooding, streams looking like raging rivers and did I say basement floodings?  We went to the aid of some friends that live on the waterfront of a small lake.  The lake was higher than the basement level, so water was coming in abundantly.  Pumps and buckets just to keep the water from getting deeper.  Some folks lost much more, as rivers flooded above window levels.  The first hand experience of trying to keep up with the increased amount of water got me to thinking about a few things.

1. Sometimes we feel like no progress is being made even when we are working as hard as we can to make progress.  But it would be worse if we did nothing.
2. There is no ignoring a problem when it over takes life as you know it.  We have to do something about it.
3. If we don't have pumps, use buckets.   That is to say, use what we have, and while doing that, seek what we need that will do a better job.
4. What would our towns and cities look like if the rain of the Holy Spirit came in such abundance that it was flowing down into every aspect of our culture, no hiding place and thoroughly soaked in righteousness?
5. Are these physical events getting our attention?  God wants to do something beyond our historic reference points.
6. "We have never seen it like this before" is happening in such a way that it can't be ignored.  We have to respond or at least deal with the ramifications of these events, and I suggest the same thing is happening in the many changes taking place in church these days (at least where it is allowed).
7. Even though we may be safe, many are not, so we are moved with compassion to help those who need it.  We leave the comfort of our own safety and get soaked to the skin with rain securing the safety of others.
8. And finally, no matter how great the flood now, it will pass away.  Tomorrow it is suppose to be sunny and nice and warm, which will go a long way to drying things out.  God is faithful, and is a restorer of the paths to dwell in.