The Red Umbrella
As the drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of
mid-west farmers were in a quandary as to what to do next. The rain was
important not only to keep their crops healthy, but to sustain the townspeople's
very way of living. As the problem became more urgent, the local church felt it
was time to get involved and called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.
In what seemed a vague remembrance of a Native American ritual, the people began
to arrive. The pastor on his arrival watched as the congregation continued to
file in. He slowly made his way to the front to officially begin the meeting.
Everyone was taking the opportunity to visit across the aisles to socialize with
close friends. The pastor's thoughts when he reached the front were on quieting
those present and starting the meeting.
As he began to ask for quiet, his eyes scanned the crowd and he took note of an
eleven year-old girl sitting in the front row.
Her face was beaming with excitement and she quietly sat in her place. Next to
her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella. The beauty and
innocence of the girl made the pastor smile as he realized the faith she
possessed. No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.
They had all come to pray for rain, but she had come expecting God to answer
with the needed rain.
The song "Hope" was
written and performed by Margi Harrell
