Its been a while since I last wrote and am glad to finally be back. A lot has happened in my life and I surely Praise and thank the living God for bringing me thus far. I can’t help but be grateful for the year 2020. I saw the faithfulness of God in my life and the life of my loved ones. With many unfortunate events happening the world over some of which included loss of lives due to Covid 19, careers destroyed, transport systems down, schools and churches closed, curfew, lockdown; one wouldn’t help but wonder where all this would end.

I always believe in God revealing to me the future before it happens but surely I didn’t see this coming. When I look back at the 2019 December 31st crossover prayers, all I could feel within me was a year of prosperity, progress and good health. Were my spiritual eyes closed then or did I have my own wishes which I focused and presumed it as God’s will for me. Like many Christians, am still searching for the answers which seem to be moving on foot.

As COVID 19 spread all over the world like a wild fire, it got me thinking of how powerful our God is. I remembered a nursery song we sang over 30 years back which said……..He’s got the whole world in his hands. Psalms 24:1 clearly reminds us that ..the earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.

We all saw how God brought all those rich and powerful nations to their knees as thousands of their people died per day. With all the medical technology these countries have, they couldn’t manage to contain the virus. The only quick way to stop the virus from spreading was restricting movement, social distance and wearing masks. Panic engulfed the big nations as we the less developed countries looked on in fear wondering what would become of us when Covid 19 finds us with our poor health structure.

With church closed, I made a decision to stick to one Christian radio from where I got all the hope and exhortation I badly needed during this period. I alluded to the bible story where David carried out a census against the will of God and the prophet from God gave him 3 punishments from which to choose; i.e. a famine, plague or attack from enemies. David in 2Samuel 24:14 chose the plague and confessed that; ..please let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercies are great. David cried out to the Lord and the plague only killed at few people.

The lockdown period helped me touch base with my creator. Never had I seen the arm of God move mightily in the whole world. Like many people out there, I had been blinded by technology and all the new trends, movies, celebrities and the wealthy people of the world. I had been fooled to think these were the movers and shakers of this world. This was demystified during this period as prayers warriors and intercessors were sought after and I believe the current breather we have today is because God heard their prayers. I now appreciate Solomon’s advise in Proverbs 11:4 that ‘riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.’

At the peak of the Covid19 deaths, Donald Trump then president of United states promised the US citizens who had lost their jobs and others who were at home in lockdown and not earning wages that the government was to give every citizen a monetary package as compensation. I envied the Americans and thought of them as lucky and blessed to live in that country, I muttered to myself….hmmm no wonder everyone yearns to experience the American dream.

that very evening, I listened to a preaching from my Pastor which changed my perspective of things. He said, if the government of America, a mere country here on earth is concerned for its citizens that have been affected and is planning a monetary package for them, how about God. We children of God are more special and blessed, we are way better than the Americans. He explained that our God is not quiet and deaf, he’s gonna do amazing things to provide for us during this period and he will also shelter us from disease. I found comfort in this message and chose to rest in Psalm 84: 11 that …..no good thing will God withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Am glad to report today that He’s been faithful throughout. Covid19 is slowly getting contained and though lives have been lost in Africa, its not at the same alarming rate as it was in Europe and America. Despite our poor health systems and infrastructure, God has covered us with his protection …… I can now testify that he who keeps Israel (read Uganda) shall neither slumber or sleep. The Lord is our keeper; …..The sun shall not strike us by day nor the moon by night. He shall preserve us…..Amen

As I run downhill, these lyrics kept ringing in my head, moments later I begun singing loud….let it rain, let it rain. This was last Saturday, I woke up early determined to run but the morning drizzle just couldn’t stop. My thoughts quickly run to John Maxwell’s law of the Rubber band. It was about time I stretched and got out of my comfort zone, I muttered to myself. Quickly, I jumped out of my cozy bed, put on my running gear and off I went.

It was a calm start, one of little hope, I yearned for that one reason that would compel me to retreat. Forward I went, all seemed well, even the drizzles took on a steady progress as politicians will refer. 1km down and my speed was increasing as well, to my disappointment, there was no reason for be to bow out of the run, even the chills I got at the start had vanished in minutes. It is amazing how wonderfully God designed our bodies to generate enough heat when subjected to cold conditions. The more I run, the warmer I felt, how incredible!

Meanwhile the drizzles became more intense and heavier and before I knew, it started raining. I had run 4kms so far and there was no turning back. I was determined not to allow the rain interrupt my target of accomplishing 10kms, I had come along way and I was not about to give up. On the other hand, motorists and onlookers under shelter looked on and thought I was bizarre. Their comments were ludicrous but that didn’t matter to me at the moment. I felt good and quickly begun to sing the popular chorus….let it rain…….Open the floodgates of heaven……….let it rain, let it rain on me.

I got lost in the moment while running, I contemplated on God’s goodness towards me and my family, stretched my hands upwards and screamed as I run on the abandoned roads, let blessings rain over me Lord. It was crazy, I still smile when I picture myself in that moment. I felt like I was on top of the world…reason; I could do what many people could not. I could picture thousands pulling warm blankets over their bodies on a rainy Saturday morning at 7am, but here I was, enjoying myself, singing and smiling away in the rain, without a care in the world. I quickly reckoned childhood memories when my parents would punish my siblings and I for playing in the rain, it was so much fun then and it still is today.

The rain went on and on until I hit the 7th Km, I was dripping wet but thank God for sports clothes that never get clingy when wet. I still had 3kms ahead and I knew very well that only more running could dry up my cloths and I did exactly that. I was dry within no time and back home as well. My children kept wondering if I had sought shelter from the rain but I was happy to narrate the joy I felt having run in the rain and I was still okay. They still don’t believe it up to now and I don’t blame them since those were my thoughts as well when I would see runners do their thing in the rain.

While the rest of the world runs away from the rain, we runners do not; to us running in the rain means a lot; It’s exercise, it’s therapy and shower at the same time! Rain is not an excuse, our only regret is that mile that’s not run because of the rain.

I challenge you that’s reading my article now, try it out today, start with a km or two, don’t wait for the rain. You will feel so much younger, healthier and happier just as I do today.