MONTHLY WRITING FOR APRIL WRITTEN BY CATHY FRIBERG

Good morning,

Today's writing is shared by Cathy Friberg who writes at the beginning of every month. The writing  is called, "APRIL SHOWERS" which discusses how people are disappointed that the cold of winter is not over in-spite of the month. However, when the May flowers come they are compared to God turning trials into blessings;

Cathy wrote, "Please grant us the grace and patience to appreciate the April showers in our lives. Help us to see that May flowers are on the way and that you desire for us to share these fragrant bouquets with others, ultimately bringing glory to your name. 

Blessings from

Cathy

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 The Writing of this Month

"APRIL SHOWERS"

When I was a child we quoted a winsome little saying that, "April showers bring May flowers." The implication was that we had waited through a gloomy, cold and wet winter. Spring had already arrived and yet, the rain may have continued to fall. It didn't seem fair and certainly did not match our expectations for the long anticipated warmth and sunshine of the vernal season. The second part of the saying, though, contained the reward.The waters we endured during April would be the necessary catalyst for the glorious foliage appearing in the month of May. 

Perhaps we can draw a parallel in our own lives. During the winter passages of our lives we may experience heartaches, setbacks, and afflictions. The season may seem long but we endure. If we cannot muster the strength

"to count it all joy," 

James 1:2

then we at least persevere with austerity and a thread of dignity.  Finally, circumstances begin to turn around, and we believe that the springtime of our life has arrived. Breathing a sigh of relief, we rejoice in God's faithfulness and take a pause from our fervent prayers. Then, like the Israelites who had reached the Red Sea, we look up and, to our dismay, see that the enemy is still chasing us! 

The trials continue on like the showers of April. If we can look with the eyes of Divinity, however, we will see the purpose in our prolonged adversity.  Extended tribulations are only purifying our souls to receive the true blessings of God.   

Some say without the complete circumcision of our hearts we would not be able to handle the blessings of the Lord. Our trials produce humility and compassion. We realize that our blessings are gifts from God alone. 

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights...."  

James 1:17 

As sanctified saints we will then use our experience to build others up, pray for them with mercy and understanding, and impart our hard earned wisdom to them. 

Gracious Father, thank you for allowing us to go through your comprehensive maturation process on our spiritual journeys. 

"..... the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

 Let perseverance finish its work 

so that you may be mature and complete" 

James 1:3-4  

Father

Please grant us the grace and patience to appreciate the April showers in our

lives. Help us to see that May flowers are on the way and that you desire for us to share these fragrant bouquets with others, ultimately bringing glory to your name. Amen.

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"SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS"

Sung by 

Willie Nelson

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GOD DOES IT ALL FROM THE TRIALS OF RAINY HAPPENINGS

TO THE GIFT THAT THE "RAIN" BRINGS

OF A REPRIEVE FROM SUFFERING

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Prayers are lifted up daily for you

 by the Devotional Writers and the Monthly Writing Staff

 of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers:

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Bre Miller, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa

Elizabeth McElderry, Betty Espindola,  Lynda Kinnard

Amie Spruiell, and Debbie Rodriguez

Occasional Contributors:

Kathy Bireley, Terri Baker, Beverley Napier,

 Kelly Dobyns, Glenna Williamson,

  Amie Spruiell, and Lisabeth Lipp.