Faith

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Behold, there is a place
by Me,
where you shall stand
upon the rock;
and while My glory
passes by
I will put you in a cleft
of the rock,
and I will cover you
with My hand......
[Exodus 33:21-22]
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"Lord, did they
have UMBRELLAS,
in Your day?"

"Which day, child?"

"'Ya know: B.C.?"

[SOLEMN NOD.]

"I don't think they did;
at least, not the kind we
have today: with popups,
and bright nylon, and all."

"No, My precious."

"Yeah......I don't even think
nylon was invented, till
like, the 1960'S?"

[SMILE.]

"So, why do I hear
people say that we
need to stay under
Your UMBRELLA?"

"Who says that,
My beloved."

"The Christians, Lord.
I never really heard
any 'a the Jews say that,
Lord. I don't wanna be
irreverent, but......"

"Speak, child."

"Well.......to be honest....."

"Spit it out, My precious."

"Well......the only word I
ever heard from the Jews
connected with You, Lord,
was: 'SUFFERING'."

[NOD.]

"I didn't make Ya MAD,
did I, Lord?"

"No, My child."

"I'm glad, Lord.
'Cuz, I know
I'm already in the
doghouse.....from,
eh, that whole
Hebrew school
chapter....
Frankly,
I was kinda' hopin You
might erase
that whole part
from Your Book, Lord."

"We'll see, My precious."

"I'd rather get back
to the umbrellas, Lord."

"I understand, child."

"Well, that is nice,
I mean, what the Christians say,
and all, but....."

[PATIENT SILENCE.]

"Umbrellas have always
disappointed me."

"Tell Me, child."

"Well, when I used to
live in Pittsburgh,
I'd LOSE one,
about once a week!"

[SOLEMN NOD.]

"Now, Pittsburgh's a great
city, Lord. I know we've
already discussed the
Heinz pickle, and all.
But....it does rain there,
a lot."

"I understand, My beloved."

"Anyhow; when you have
to carry an umbrella all the
time, it's just odds you're
gonna lose it, You know?
I mean, you leave it on the
bus, in the restroom,
at work, McDonalds......."

[PATIENT SILENCE.]

"Plus, the second it gets
windy.......PUFF......there
goes the TOP! It just
goes inside OUT,
for nothin'!"

[NOD.]

"Not to mention, those times
when you're tryin to get it
open, and......POP......out comes
one of the SPOKES! Then,
you have to make the decision:

'Should I KEEP it?
I just BOUGHT it!
But, if I do.......am I gonna
poke somebody's EYE out,
with it?"

"This is a trial,
My beloved."

"EXACTLY!
Just like I SAID, Lord!
Do You see where all this
is GOING?"

[PATIENT NOD.]

"Do Ya SEE, Lord?
It's really got to do
with YOU!"

"I see."

"Yes! YES!
EXACTLY!"

"I am your Umbrella."

"Yes! Yes, Lord, yes!
Do Ya see what I MEAN?
Do You see my DILEMNA?"

"Yes, My beloved.
I understand."

"I'm glad, Lord!"

"Child?"

"Yeah, Lord?"

"What will you do,
the next time it rains?"
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For God alone
my soul waits in silence
for my hope
is from Him.
He only is my rock
and my salvation,
my fortress;
I shall not be shaken.
[Psalms 62:5-6]

_______________________________
[Author's note: the 'umbrella' shape
has really been around for 4,000 years,
since ancient Egypt, China, and Greece.
The first umbrella shop was opened in
England in 1830. Samuel Fox invented
the first steel ribbed umbrella in 1852.
It wasn't until years later, that the
author bought one with cats all over it.]

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