Rainy days are always fun. They’re different. You may have to stay inside and play-but you get to go to a different room with different things which often means a different schedule. They are especially fun with preschoolers who are (in a lot of cases) just watching thunder and lightening for the first time (at least as far as they can remember). Yesterday was a rainy in San Diego.
Last year when it was stormy I came across a perfect “weather” scripture. I marked it and said “Next year when it’s stormy out, I’m totally reading this to the preschoolers.” Well it’s “next year” and it was “stormy.” So at lunch, I ran through Job 37-which basically talks about God’s sovereignty over weather/creation. Some of the things I quickly defined in preschool terms and in a dramatic way. But for most of it I was just able to read straight from the ESV:
“God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things we cannot comprehend. For to the snow he says, “Fall on the earth,” likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour….By the breath of God ice is given, and broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick clouds with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightening. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them…” (Job 37: 5-12)
After lunch was outside time. Out we went. It wasn’t long before we heard thunder. Though I loved it, I knew it would scare many of them. Sure enough they kind of froze and weren’t quite sure how to feel about it. However, I wanted them to see God’s beauty and power instead of fearing the loudness of thunder and lightening. So I smiled and started clapping saying, “Thank you God for your thunder, you are so strong!” So all the kids clapped along and started smiling and saying “Thank you God!” It was precious. Then we actually saw a huge streak of lightening and we clapped again thanking God. Of course we went inside after that. But we didn’t stop watching. The kids were thrilled and we watched from a window for about 20 minutes clapping and thanking God for His lightning and His thunder.
Rainy days are fun. Seeing lightning and hearing thunder is especially fun. Watching preschoolers thank God for thunder and lightning is the MOST fun.
I love this. Must have been so precious.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to turn fear or uncertainty into joy and thankfulness to God!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Wonderful scripture to remember. I appreciate your God-centeredness. How many times we forget to give credit to God for these things.
ReplyDeleteGod alone initiates salvation. He always turns toward man first and seeks him, as when God walked in the Garden (Genesis 3:8). Man does not seek God or turn to him without God first calling man to Himself (John. 6:37, 44; 1 John. 4:10,19).
ReplyDeleteSecond, God’s initiative does not exclude man’s free response, but demands it (Catechism of the Catholic Church [Catechism], nos. 154, 155, 2002; Philippians 2:12, 13). In other words, God wills that man be free to choose His grace or reject it.
Third, salvation is extended to each and every human person, not limited to just some, and one can fall away from grace (Hebrews 2:1-4; 6:4; 2 Peter 1:10; 3:9; 1 John 5:16, 17).
Furthermore, it is imperative that once one is touched by grace, he perseveres in charity lest he forfeit the free gift of salvation (Lumen Gentium [LG], no. 14). Within the confines of these principles, Catholics have sought to understand the mystery of predestination.
Though opinions and formulations have varied among Catholic theologians, with these principles left intact, there is room for legitimate speculation.
The only proper framework to understand predestination must be rooted in the notion of a communion of persons in love. Why? The nature of God as Trinity is this very kind of communion and God created man to share in that “blessed life” (cf. Catechism, no. 1).