I have lived in Colorado for ten years now and I have to say this summer’s weather has me baffled. It hasn’t been normal. It hasn’t been usual. It’s been different and unique and perhaps what Colorado weather is supposed to be like. I don’t know.

What I do know is that the early summer weeks were gorgeous. Low 80’s and a little rain. It was perfect. Then in late August and early September our temperatures soared. It was blazing hot. Just last Friday we hit a high of 97°. That’s hot!

Now the weather has changed again. Mid to upper 70’s are in the forecast with high chances of rain each day. I think they may want to tweak their percentages. It has rained the past two days and it’s been pretty steady. And torrential in some places. Flash flooding advisories are posted for quite a bit of our state.

We have had some unique weather this summer, but I love how rain changes our perspective. When the first rain storm came through on Monday, I opened my office window and enjoyed the downpour. It lifted my spirit.

That’s exactly how it is when we allow God’s refreshing rain to pour over us. We receive a boost. Our spirits are lifted. We find the strength we need.

We find refreshment through different circumstances in our lives. In Acts 3:19 (NIV), Peter tells the crowd how to be refreshed. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Sometimes there is sin in our lives that keeps us from experiencing refreshment from God. Peter’s solution is to repent and turn to God. I think that’s a good solution.

We find refreshment through other believers. That simple word of encouragement can make all the difference to some people. Take a look at these passages to see how Paul was refreshed by others. Romans 15:32; 1 Corinthians 16:18; 2 Timothy 1:16; and Philemon 1:20.

We can be refreshment to others. We find in these passages that hearts were lifted by others. Refreshment was found because of what others did. We can be that same refreshment. 2 Corinthians 7:13; Philemon 1:7; and 2 Peter 1:13.

We know that refreshment is welcomed. Why not plan today to be refreshment? Get rid of the attitudes that scorch. Get rid of the words that burn. Bring joy and life to those you come in contact with. You may find great refreshment yourself in this little experiment.

But know this. The important piece of this refreshment project is that it must come from God. It must be His refreshment you offer to others. Remember that living water that the woman at the well asked Jesus for? That’s the refreshment others long for. That’s what has changed us. It’s what we have to offer.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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