Shelter in the Rain

A devotional by Alexis A. Goring

Today, I’d like to share a real-life story about a time when God provided shelter in the rain for me, literally!

Back in the days of my college years, I would have to walk several blocks off campus for an assignment. I am usually prepared for everything weather-wise but when I started walking away from the campus on that day, the sun was shining and the weather was fair. So I did not bring my umbrella or a coat because I didn’t think I’d need it.

After completing my assignment, I headed back to my campus. The first two minutes were blessed with fair weather, but then the clouds rolled in, the sky grew overcast, and rain started to pour. By that time, I still had two more blocks to walk before I reached the campus.

Silently, I reprimanded myself for not being prepared for the change of weather. Just as silently, I braced myself and accepted the reality that I was going to be soaked from head to toe by the time I arrived on campus. So I clutched my books close to my chest and plugged forward—not moving too fast so that I could prevent falling on the sidewalk that was becoming slippery as the water coated it.

Clearly, I was not prepared for this unexpected downpour. But after about four minutes of walking in the rain, God sent shelter in the rain. I looked to my left as a small metro bus pulled up alongside me and stopped. The door opened and the driver beckoned me.

I stepped into the metro bus and slid into the front seat behind the driver. The door shut. I looked around and saw that I was the only passenger. He did not ask me to pay a fare. He simply started a conversation as he drove me the remaining two blocks back to my college campus.

The conversation was light and humorous. He told me that rainy days like this one make me as a student fall in love even more with my books. He was funny. After a two-minute drive (because wheels are faster than feet walking in the rain), he stopped and opened the door. I stepped off the bus and thanked him. He waved goodbye, shut the metro bus door, and drove away.

I had arrived safely on campus and only had to walk a few paces to my dorm where I promptly went to my room and changed into dry clothes.

My lesson learned (apart from always carry an umbrella and a coat)? God is our Shelter in the Rain.

He pulls up alongside of us and offers to carry us through tough times.

Life is better when you go through it with God. The Bible says to draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). But just like The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15), God seeks you out even when you don’t make it your will to draw near to Him. He is always present, a true gentleman who won’t force His way into Your heart but will ask You to open the door to Him so that He may come in and sup with you (Revelation 3:20).

And just when we think that we’re unprepared to weather the storms of life, God always makes a way—even when we don’t pray—to help us survive.

I did not pray for shelter in the rain on that day, but God knew what I needed and He sent shelter in the form of that bus. I am forever grateful that God is faithful and always present for His children.

In closing, I’d like to share this Bible verse:

“God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and mountains fall into the ocean depths; even if the seas roar and rage, and the hills are shaken by the violence. There is a river that brings joy to the city of God, to the sacred house of the Most High. God is in that city, and it will never be destroyed; at early dawn he will come to its aid. Nations are terrified, kingdoms are shaken; God thunders, and the earth dissolves. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” –Psalm 46:1-7 (GNT)

May you always trust God to provide your every need just like He did it for me, He can do it for you too.

God bless you!

Alexis A. Goring is a passionate writer with a degree in Print Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. She loves the art of storytelling and hopes that her stories will connect readers with the enduring, forever love of Jesus Christ.You can connect with Alexis at https://alexisagoring.jimdo.com/.

Alexis, thank you for sharing your story. I, too, am forever grateful that, no matter what, God sees fit to continue watching over me and blessing me in little unexpected ways. He is so good to me!