Category Archives: Struggle for Life

Let It Rain (Devotional)

Composition and production of song by Kenn Mann.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)

“As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

Devotional: “Let It Rain: Embracing God’s Grace for Healing”

As we pause in quiet reflection, we encounter a profound invitation: to lay our burdens at the feet of God, who knows each heartache, each moment of fear, and each tear shed. 1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” speaks to the core of our human experience, reminding us that it is not just permissible but necessary to cast our anxiety on Him. This is an active surrender, a trust fall into arms that are stronger than our frailty.

Many of us walk through life with ice coursing through our veins during desperate times—fear, longing, and uncertainty can freeze the warmth of hope. In the darkest moments, that icy grip tightens, leaving us feeling isolated, as though we are the only ones carrying such heavy burdens. The vivid imagery of “daggers cutting through the heart” resonates; we can relate to the sharp pain that those we love—loss, disappointment, even the weight of ingratitude—can inflict upon our spirits to the point we may not even know how to pray; where to start, if we were to pray.

As we contemplate these experiences, we reach deep into our hearts to find these questions: Can I ever feel whole again? Will the pieces of my brokenness ever fit together? Often, the flame of indifference threatens to smother our spirit’s light, leaving us questioning whether healing is, in fact, possible. Yet, in those very moments of doubt, we are reminded that God’s grace is a healing rain, falling softly upon us, renewing our spirits and washing away our tears and our fears.

The prayerful plea, “Lord, let it rain,” is an act of faith. It is a yearning for the divine intervention that can only come from above. When we invite God into our pain, we make room for His transformative grace. The rain symbolizes not just healing, but a restoration that refreshes the parched ground of our souls. As it pours over us, allowing it to saturate our spirits means letting go of our fears and embracing His promises.

In moments when we feel overwhelmed, we must remember that God is not distant; He is closer than we may realize. He understands our struggles and invites us to seek Him. It’s in acknowledging our vulnerabilities that we find the strength to rise from our despair. In our moments of shame or grief, God’s mercy floods us with the assurance that we are not defined by our past but by His unchanging love.

When we think of the heavens testifying as grace falls, it serves as a reminder of the larger picture. The world outside may seem heavy with trials, but the rain—a metaphor for divine grace—brings new life and hope, promising us that even through our toughest seasons, God is still at work. There is a promise in the storm; it nurtures the ground, allowing beauty to emerge from dust.

Built on this truth, we can approach each day with renewed anticipation. When wrestling with doubt, let us turn our thoughts to moments of connection with God—a prayer whispered in despair, the warmth of a friend’s embrace, or the gentle reminder of nature’s beauty. Each of these serves as a testament that connection is possible even in our darkest hours.

Finally, as we submit our hearts before Him, let each day serve as an opportunity to “let it rain.” Seek out the grace that renews and replenishes, allowing your heart to become fertile ground for love and peace. When we embrace this grace, we come into a closer relationship with our Creator—ready to live not just for ourselves but to embody His love and mercy to others.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You, burdened with grief and discomfort. I offer up my heart, casting my anxieties upon You, knowing that You care deeply. Let Your grace rain down over me, refreshing me in my darkest hours, and healing my wounds. Bring relief from the shame and sorrow that sometimes weighs me down. Help me to find solace in your love and the promise of new beginnings. May Your mercy flood my spirit and transform my pain into purpose. Thank You for holding my heart in Your gentle hands. Amen.

Closing Thought

As we conclude this time of devotion, remember this: the grace of God is like refreshing rain—abundant, sustaining, and deeply healing. Each time you feel the weight of distress, call upon Him to let it rain. He promises to transform your sorrows into joy and to bind up every broken heart. The journey of healing begins with surrendering to God’s grace, trusting that He is leading you toward wholeness. Carry this truth with you: “Lord, let it rain in my life, and renew my heart with Your love.”

A Writing

Ice flows through my veins

Fire burns through my soul
As the thought of losing you longs to take control

The pain of a million daggers
Are cutting through my heart
I’ve tried to pray but not sure how to start

Lord Let it rain
Let your grace pour over me
And now my heart can see
You’re healing every pain

Let it rain
You’re bringing me relief
Please free me from this grief and every shame
Lord let it rain

I wonder deep inside if I’ll be whole again
Can you take these broken pieces so I can finally mend
There’s a flame of indifference deep inside of me
Can your flood of mercy somehow set me free

Let it rain
Let your grace pour over me
And now my heart can see
You’re healing every pain

Let it rain
You’re bringing me relief
Please free me from this grief and every shame
Lord let it rain

Fallin’
Fallin’ from the sky
Let the heaven’s testify

I’m bowing down to my king
I beg for this one thing

Let it rain
Let your grace pour over me
Now my heart can see
You’re healing every pain

Let it rain
You’re bringing me relief
Please free from this grief and every shame
Lord let it rain
…Lord let it rain

Copyright © 2015 by SkylerThomas

Original Lyrics

Ice flows through my veins
Fire burns in my soul
As the thought of losing you consumes me

The pain of a million daggers
Cutting through my heart
Is nothing compared to what dooms me

Let it rain
Oh, let it rain
Please Lord, let it rain in my soul

I cry out in despair
Oh God hear my prayer…of repentance

Bring me relief
Free me from my grief…and indifference

Bring rain to my burning soul
That I will again be whole…and make a difference

That my life will be restored
That you will cut the cord…of my sentance

Let it rain
Oh, let it rain
Please Lord, let it rain in my soul

That you may reign
Oh, that you may reign
That you may reign and make me whole

I bow down to my King
And beg for this one thing
Please Lord, reign in my soul

Let you reign
Oh, Lord let you reign
Please Lord, reign in my soul

That I can be whole…again

Let it rain
Oh, let it rain
Please Lord, let it rain in my soul

Copyright © 2015 by SkylerThomas

Dying Changes Everything

DyingChangesEverythingDyingChangesEverything2
Old Beach Theater, Downtown St. Pete Beach Copyright © 2014 by SkylerThomas

THUMP thump…THUMP thump…thump… thump…thum

I gasp for air
This is it
My last breath
As I exhale slowly

My eyelids close
My vision fades
Silence crashes into the room
Like rolling thunder

The walls melt
Like ice cream on a hot summer day

What is that noise?
What is that blinding light?
As the thin veil between this life and the next
Is split from top to bottom

Tick tock…Tick tock…tock…tock…toc

Chronos – time stops now

They’re standing around me
Some busy
Some just watching

And some…
…aren’t flesh and blood

Who are they?
These orbs of light
Floating around my bed
As if preparing me for flight
Seeing if I am dead?
Pulling me through the veil without a fight

Kairos – His time is now

“CLEAR!” … BAMB!!!

My head jerks back
I’m thrust as if shot out of a canon
I’m traveling through a tunnel
Swirling flashes
Faster…faster…at the speed of light
I gasp for air
The veil is sealed once again

Where am I, now???

Some things cannot be unseen…
…unheard
…unfelt

And I will never be the same…because…

Almost dying changes nothing
Dying changes everything

Copyright © 2015 by SkylerThomas

Daddy’s Little Girl

Composition and production of song by Kenn Mann.

Original Writing:

She arrived 12 weeks early in the middle of the night
They swooped her away and took her out of sight
The doc came back at 3 AM with a warning
There’s a 50/50 chance she won’t see the morning

But she proved them all wrong day after day
She was a fighter refusing to give up her way
Mommy and daddy held to their dreams of hope
Prayin’ hard every hour was the only way they could cope

[Chorus]
She was a fighter, not in anordinary in any way

She wasn’t givin’ up, gettin’ stronger every day
It was up to her and God now to make this beautiful pearl
Because it became clear real fast, daddy couldn’t save his little girl

She could fit in a shoe box with plenty of room to spare
Daddy couldn’t take his eyes off her, watchin’ her gasp for air
Hooked up to wires and tubes and wrapped in her cocoon
It was clear she wasn’t comin’ home anytime soon

But the day did come when she was strong enough to thrive
They took their baby girl home, thanking God she was alive
They gave her all the love and attention every baby needs
And if that wasn’t enough, they prayed for strength on their knees

[Chorus]
She was a fighter, not in an ordinary in any way

She wasn’t givin’ up, gettin’ stronger every day
It was up to her and God now to make this beautiful pearl
Because it became clear real fast, daddy couldn’t save his little girl

She grew up so quick and turned into a sweet beautiful girl
Her contagious quirky smile with those pretty blonde curls
She was feisty and funny and loved to get attention
Accepting everyone as her friend without pretension

Life wasn’t easy for her, she struggled to make the grade
But she didn’t give up or quit, in spite of the hand she played
She was no ordinary girl in an ordinary town
She’d be there for you, and never let you down

[Chorus]
She was a fighter, not in an ordinary in any way

She wasn’t givin’ up, gettin’ stronger every day
It was up to her and God now to make this beautiful pearl
Because it became clear real fast, daddy couldn’t save his little girl

The clouds rolled in, the storms were fierce and strong
In her teenage years she struggled to belong
At every twist and turn there were obstacles to overcome
Her heart became broken, she was empty, she grew numb

It was easier for her to quit than survive another day
And the unordinary girl gave up, she lost her way
The voices in her head told her she had failed
Rather than keeping her shit together, she bailed

[Bridge]
She thought she had it made
All her plans were laid
But she reached the baracde
And then she was swayed
To the dark side

Her dreams were dismayed
She lived her life afraid
She’d been played
And so she strayed
To the dark side

Daddy fell into the trap that was waiting on him to wane
He turned to his bottle and lines on the table to numb the pain
It was more than he could take, his little girl’s plight
And he lost the will to live, he lost the will to fight

He turned his back on his family, giving up on all that once mattered
Where was Jesus now? Now that his life was shattered
Everyone around him left because they couldn’t stand the sight
Of a man who withered into nothing, refusing to seek the light

[Chorus]
She was a fighter, not in an ordinary in any way

She wasn’t givin’ up, gettin’ stronger every day
It was up to her and God now to make this beautiful pearl
Because it became clear real fast, daddy couldn’t save his little girl

Like every pearl that grows from a grain of sand
So too this beautiful woman was shaped by God’s hand
For He never left her side in spite of her struggles and pain
It’s always through hardship and failure that we find true gain

She found her daddy at the bottom of his cave
Drinkin’ his way to oblivion, drinkin’ his way to the grave
She reached down in the pit and pulled him up to stand
They held each other tight, and walked out of the cave hand-in-hand

[Chorus]
She is a fighter, not in an ordinary in any way

She isn’t givin’ up, gettin’ stronger every day
It’s up to her and God now to make this beautiful pearl
Because it’s clear real fast, daddy can’t save his little girl

Copyright © 2015 by SkylerThomas

Musical Composition: Kenn Mann

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