As a kid, we were taught the little tune "Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day." I was leaving a friend's house today, and it was raining. I noticed my first reaction was to be negative about the rain that was falling. My first thought was not to be thankful for the life and restoration it would bring for the grass and flowers. As I drove home I had, what I feel, is a semi-profound thought.
My friend Vera, a missionary in Kenya, has been writing quite a bit about the perils of not having rain. At this point in the year, the rains in Kenya should have already begun, but they have not. Untold struggles have ensued, and the country is DESPERATE for rain. As I drove home, I thought about what their reaction would be if the rain was falling on them as they were leaving their homes. Would they complain that they didn't have a jacket to keep dry, or that it would mess up their hair? NO! Their reaction, after such drought and lack of rain, would be to REJOICE! They would celebrate that their prayer had been answered. There would probably be some jumping involved.
As I drove, it dawned on me: The rain WILL come. We are not guaranteed a sun-filled existence. There are hard days. People say mean things. Our teams lose games. Our work is unappreciated. Friends don't call back. The bills never seem to get lost in the mail. Deadlines fall at the same time. But when the rain comes...when times are hard, it is our choice, MY choice, to complain or to rejoice. I want to be found rejoicing for the rain. Thanking God that He can bring growth and new life from it. Thank you Vera, for the reminders to pray for rain, and for the invitation to rejoice when it falls.
My friend Vera, a missionary in Kenya, has been writing quite a bit about the perils of not having rain. At this point in the year, the rains in Kenya should have already begun, but they have not. Untold struggles have ensued, and the country is DESPERATE for rain. As I drove home, I thought about what their reaction would be if the rain was falling on them as they were leaving their homes. Would they complain that they didn't have a jacket to keep dry, or that it would mess up their hair? NO! Their reaction, after such drought and lack of rain, would be to REJOICE! They would celebrate that their prayer had been answered. There would probably be some jumping involved.
As I drove, it dawned on me: The rain WILL come. We are not guaranteed a sun-filled existence. There are hard days. People say mean things. Our teams lose games. Our work is unappreciated. Friends don't call back. The bills never seem to get lost in the mail. Deadlines fall at the same time. But when the rain comes...when times are hard, it is our choice, MY choice, to complain or to rejoice. I want to be found rejoicing for the rain. Thanking God that He can bring growth and new life from it. Thank you Vera, for the reminders to pray for rain, and for the invitation to rejoice when it falls.
Amen, Jamie! I LOVE the last paragraph of your post...I definitely need to be reminded of of those truths. It makes me think of the Mercy Me song, "Bring the Rain." Miss you already!!!
ReplyDelete