THE SMELL OF RAIN

THE SMELL OF RAIN 

  

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.

That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Caesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing. At 12 inches, long and weighing only one pound and nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.

Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's
going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a
10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one".

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.

Through the dark hours of morning as Dana held onto life by the thinnest thread, Diana slipped in and out of sleep, growing more and more determined that their tiny daughter would live and live to be a healthy, happy young girl.

But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of their
daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy, knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable. David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral arrangements. Diana felt so bad for him because he was doing everything to try to include her in what was going on, but she just wouldn't listen, she couldn't listen. She said, "No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don't care what the doctors say. Dana is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be coming home with us!"

As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Dana clung to life hour
after hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her
miniature body could endure. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw,' the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.

All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.

There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there. At last, when Dana turned two months old, her parents could hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.


Today, five years later, Dana is a petite but feisty young girl with
glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She shows no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?" Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."

Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."

Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me." (Phil. 4:13)

 Smell the rain.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Director

Producer/Published Author

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts

AS A WOMAN

As a Woman

Be an *Esther*, bold and courageous enough to stand for the truth, to voice your opinion and fight for the good of others, even when it means to sacrifice yourself. If God has put you in a position, it is for a purpose. Never be afraid to heed to that inner voice. 

Be a *Ruth*, loyal in all your relationships, walk the extra mile and don’t quit when things get tough. Someday, you’ll see why it was all worth the effort. 

Be a *Lydia*, let your homes be open, let your hands be generous, let your hearts be big enough to help anyone in need. Joy is greatest when shared. 

Be a *Hannah*, never cease to pray. It will never be in vain. 

Be a *Mary*, humble and submissive. You don’t have to be great for God to use you, you just need to obey. 

Be a *Dorcas*, use your talents, however small it may seem to bring a smile on someone’s face. You’ll never know how much it can mean to someone. 

Be an *Abigail*, remember how each decision can turn your life around for good or bad. Be wise. 

Be an *Elizabeth*, never doubt what God can do. Miracles do happen. 

Be a *Mary Magdalene*, never let your mistakes and judgments of other people stop you from experiencing true joy in Jesus. 

Be a *Rebekah*, never forget that true beauty lies within. Draw your man closer to God through your character.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Screen Writer/Novelist

Gospel Lyricist/Producer

A TRUE HOME

 

A roof to keep out the rain. 

Four walls to keep out the wind.
Floors to keep out the cold. 

Yes, but home is more than that.

It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, 

the strength of a father. 

Warmth of loving hearts, light from happy eyes, kindness,
loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school...for the young ones where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind. 

Where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick. Where joy is shared and sorrow eased. Where fathers and mothers are respected and loved. 

Where children are wanted. Where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned.
Where money is not so important as loving-kindness. 

Where even the teakettle sings
 from happiness. That is home.

               Ernestine Schumann-Heink

submitted by:

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Gospel Lyricist

THE PASTOR'S CAT

 

This cute little tale will make you laugh. And it is my sincere hope that this reading leaves a bright spot in your spirit. Whoever said the Creator doesn't have a sense of humor?

 

Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc.

The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.

That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke.

The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.

The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten.  So, he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business.

A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?'

She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.'

Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor. Anyone can count the seeds in an apple; but only God can count the apples in a seed.

  GIVE ME A SENSE OF HUMOR, LORD

GIVE ME THE GRACE TO SEE A JOKE

TO GET SOME HUMOR OUT OF LIFE

 AND HOPE OTHER FOLKS DO TOO 

 

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

/Producer/Gospel Lyricist

DON'T MAKE EXCUSES

"WE EXCUSE OUR SLOTH UNDER THE PRETEXT OF  DIFFICULTY"  

THAT GETS A BIT CLOSE TO HOME!

Read: Haggai 2:1-9

         

CONSIDER – In what haven’t we done for the Lord because we could not, in our minds, do it perfectly?  The Lord asked Moses to speak to Israel about Pharaoh but Moses questioned the Lord’s directive because of his speech impairment. The Lord’s response was simple, "Who gave the human being their mouths? …No go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say" (Exod.4:11,12). 

So, let’s ask ourselves the obvious questions: what have we not done for the Lord because we couldn’t do it to our standards? God wants to use us for his work, but he wants us to trust him for abilities and opportunities. What are we waiting for?

          Pray  O' loving God, I need Your help to understand why I make excuses rather than obey You. Show me how to do what is right.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

/Producer/Gospel Lyricist

NO PARTIALITY

Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. —James 2:1

---

A man attended a church regularly for several months, but he was always ignored. Because no one knew who he was, and he looked out-of-place with his old and worn-out clothes, no one ever took the time to speak to him.

One Sunday as he took a seat in church, he intentionally left his hat on. As the pastor stood on the platform and looked out over the audience, he noticed the man with the hat right away. So he summoned one of the deacons and asked him to tell the man that he forgot to remove his hat. When the deacon spoke to the man, he responded with a big smile and said, "I thought that would do it. I have attended this church for 6 months, and you are the first person who has ever talked to me."
There is no place for prejudice or favoritism in the family of God. We who have been born again through faith in Jesus are equals in God's sight. And that equality should be evident in the way we treat other believers.

We must be hospitable and courteous to all, regardless of their race, social status, or appearance. When we show favoritism, we sin against people whom God loves and for whom Christ died. Let's be gracious to everyone and be careful to avoid showing partiality. —Richard De Haan

All those who know and love the Lord
Must show by word and deed
That they will not discriminate
But welcome those in need. —D. De Haan

Prejudice builds walls; love breaks them down.

……AND I’D LIKE TO ADD MY 2 CENTS WORTH IF I MAY.

            -  We must not forget the wisdom of Matthew, when he wrote in chapter 7, verses 1-5.  His words go thusly:   Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use; it will be measured to you.

        Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Playwright/Director/Screen Writer

Producer/Lyricist

EVALUATE

¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

                                                                   Philipp ians 4:11-13


To be able to be content with whatever life brings us is a difficult task. This passage gives us the secret to being content. It appears to be so very simple, and it is, but we make it so hard on ourselves. The secret is to draw of Christ's power for strength and rely of God's promises.

Sometimes we find ourselves wanting more and not being content with what we have. Sometimes we feel that we should not suffer like this, or that we deserve for a specific desire to be met. If you find yourself unsatisfied with what God has given you: 

1)    Ask God to remove the desire and teach you contentment in every
       circumstance and He WILL SUPPLY all your needs, BUT in a way that
       He knows is best for you. First YOU got to trust that He knows what’s 

      best for you.

 2)   Look at life from God's point of view instead of your own. Our vision
        impaired, so rely on God who knows all and sees all. In this passage,
        Paul focused on what he was supposed to do, not what he
        felt he should do.

3)    Detach yourself from the nonessentials so you can concentrate on the  

eternal. Most of the time our desire for more or better possessions is a 

longing to fill an empty place in our personal life. The answer to where 

you are lies in these questions.

        Check yourself:
                1)    To what do I draw to when i feel empty inside?
                2)    Currently, how do I find contentment?
                3)    What is my perspective of life?
                4)    What are my priorities?

This passage really caused me to self evaluate. I pray that it is a help to someone else. We all should be willing to help each other and pass on what we know so that we can help each other heal.


Jesus did not come into our hearts for us to lock him up and keep his secrets to ourselves. He came with the keys to help set others free. Don't sit on the keys! Let’s stop laughing and talking about others and let’s help loose the captives!

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/ Playwright/Producer

 Gospel Lyricist/Screenwriter

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts