Unbelievable Umbrellas

There was this one semester in college, second semester freshman year, where I was convinced God did not want me to go to class if it was raining. There was really no basis for this conclusion except for this one moment that led me to this declaration. I was coming out of my theatre class and heading to geology (about a 15 minute walk). I will pause here in my story to tell you three important facts. 1. Geology is NOT as easy as the rumors say. 2. The science building appeared to always be set at an interior temperature of 26 degrees. 3. I had NO umbrella.

As I braved the POURING down rain (no exaggeration) I saw another student ahead of me also walking to the science building. I did not know her, but what I did know is that she had an umbrella. She did not just have any umbrella either. This girl had a GIGANTIC umbrella. You know the ones built for multiple people! I had hit the jackpot. “Excuse me” I called out to her. “I am heading to the science building as well. Is there any chance you would be willing to share your umbrella with me?” She turned around and flatly said one word to me. “No!” NO?! I mean can you even believe it???!!! As I sat in my geology class soaked to the bone and freezing, I made two promises to myself. !. I would no longer go to class when it was raining outside. It was not worth it! 2. I would from that day forward always share my umbrella.

Whether it is literally raining outside or metaphorically pouring down rain in our lives, there will come a time when we need to slip under someone else’s umbrella. 1 John 4:11-12 reads, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” Let us cover those in our world with God’s love. If someone is in need, cover them with an umbrella of provision. If someone messes up, cover them with an umbrella of grace. If someone is sick or hurting, cover them with an umbrella of care. If someone is rude, cover them with an umbrella of kindness. If someone is lonely, cover them with an umbrella of presence. If someone is looking for a Savior, cover them with an umbrella of the message of God’s salvation. When you have the chance to share an umbrella with someone else and keep them out of the rain, even just for a bit, hold it up high over both of your heads and rejoice. You are both walking together underneath the covering of God’s unbelievable and unconditional love.