The Encouragement Express Newsletter: Where's My Umbrella?

Express Way

Where's My Umbrella?

What’s your favorite tune about rain?

Is it “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” by B.J. Thomas?

Or “Rainy Days and Mondays,” by Karen Carpenter?

Maybe “I’m No Stranger to the Rain,” by Keith Whitley?

Or “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” by Willie Nelson?

I know, it’s a tough call.

Now, let me pick your brain.

With all the hit songs recorded over the years about rain, why would we want to keep it off us?

After all, rain’s a blessing.

It purifies the air.

It nourishes the roots that twist and turn and zigzag through the earth.

It cools things off.

You hear weathermen and weatherwomen (I know, the up-to-date term is meteorologists), gab all the time about the water table during the scorching hot summer months.

We need rain.

It’s an essential part of living.

When we go weeks without it, we pray that God will send a soaker.

Indian tribes did their “rain dances,” hoping for rain.

So, why tote umbrellas around when it’s raining?

Shouldn’t we stand in the rain and move from side to side with our mouths open, snagging a drop or two of the liquid stuff?

If we’re voting for or against umbrellas, I’m for them.

And here’s why.

They prevent you from getting soaked from head-to-toe and catching a cold.

They save you from having to peel off wet clothes.

They keep you from looking like a drenched rat.

But while we use umbrellas today to shield us from rain, the primary function in ancient days was to protect people from the sun’s rays.

Now fast forward to the modern umbrella, created in 1852 by Samuel Fox.

After patenting his steel-ribbed umbrella, he sold it to James Smith & Sons, the iconic umbrella company in London. In fact, they’re still in business today.

Pretty remarkable, isn’t it?

But there’s something else that’s amazing.

While googling unique umbrella stores, I came across an awesome one called “Umbrella Heaven.”

The name itself makes you fall in love with them.

They carry over 1,000 unique umbrellas and garden parasols.

Umbrellas for men, women, and kids.

Umbrellas for weddings and bridal showers.

And completing the inventory are compact umbrellas, specialty umbrellas, sun umbrellas, sport umbrellas, and business umbrellas!

Check out their website at umbrellaheaven.com. I know you’ll find the perfect umbrella!

But that’s enough about umbrellas - at least the object we open when it’s raining.

Now think with me about a few “umbrellas” and what they shield us from.

There’s the “insurance umbrella,” shielding us from catastrophes from car wrecks, open-heart surgery, and burn outs, providing financial peace.

There’s the “first-responders umbrella.” Policemen, paramedics, firemen, doctors, and nurses fall into this group sheltering us from danger and pain, keeping us healthy.

And don’t forget the “educational umbrella.” Teachers, professors, librarians, and their staff compose this group, feeding us knowledge to improve our cognitive skills.

There’s the “inventor’s umbrella.” Research scientists and engineers make up this category, developing things to better our lives.

What about the “entertainment umbrella?” Song writers, musicians, singers, comedians, actors, actresses, and others shelter us from stress.

Let’s not forget about the “mental health umbrella.” Social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors work to shelter us from mental confusion and conflict.

Finally, there’s the “spiritual umbrella,” where the purpose of ministers is to shelter us from sinful practices, helping us grow closer to God.

But the top umbrella of all is “Heaven’s umbrella,” where God offers shelter and eternal rest.

Read Psalm 91:1

Let’s encourage each other,

-Howell

One more word ... Any topic that you'd like for me to write on? Send me your suggestions at howellbigham@theencouragementexpress.com

About The Encouragement Express

Thanks for visiting The Encouragement Express!

I'm Howell Bigham, and I'm the writer behind all the posts.

Are you looking for powerful principles to guide you in building strong relationships, enviable work habits, and unbelievable personal growth? Then you're at the right site!

In The Encouragement Express you'll discover awesome lessons hidden in objects that you use daily. You'll meet fascinating people from the past who invented these often overlooked creations.

You'll also get a spiritual Vitamin E(ncouragement) for personal growth, motivational quotes from mouths of the past, a word for the week, and motivational music!

If you want positive, life-building stories to kick-start your day, you'll love The Encouragement Express!

Vitamin E(ncouragement)

Here's your weekly spiritual vitamin!

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."

-Psalm 61:2-3