“For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to him who sows and bread to him who eats, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
We’ve all heard the expression, “Into every life a little rain must fall.” But sometimes, it’s easy to forget the life-giving properties of rain when we just don’t want to get wet. It’s easy to think of rain as a nuisance in our life – something we just need to wait out.
But sometimes, it just takes an old time movie to remind us of hidden blessings – like Gene Kelly’s classic song and dance number in Singin’ in the Rain. Or sometime all it takes is a young child’s invitation.
A little girl, around six years old, had been shopping with her mom. When they were ready to leave the store, it started pouring. It was the type of downpour that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. All the trapped customers waited under an awning, hoping for the rain to let up enough so they could head to their waiting cars.
Some waited patiently, but many grew restless and irritated at the delay in their day’s plans.
Then, within the loud drone of the pounding raindrops on the awning, came the sweet voice of the little 6-year-old. “Mommy, let’s run through the rain.”
Her mom laughed. “No, honey. We’ll just wait until it slows down a bit.”
The young girl waited about another minute and repeated: “Mommy, let’s run through the rain,”
“We’ll get soaked if we do,” Mom replied.
“That’s not what you said this morning,” the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom’s arm.
“This morning?” Her mom looked at her. “When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?”
“Don’t you remember?” the little girl’s voice raised with excitement. “When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, “If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!”
The entire waiting crowd stopped everything they were doing. Everyone stood silently, waiting. The pound of the rain drops filled the space.
Mom paused before she spoke. “Honey, you are absolutely right. Let’s run through the rain. If God lets us get wet, well, maybe we just needed washing.”
Then off they ran. The others stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and through the puddles. Even though they got soaked, they squealed with delight.
Before much longer, many of the other customers were running to their cars, laughing in the rain as they went.
Perhaps an old hymn says it best:
“God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain…
But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.”
Watering the Seeds
Remember a time when you felt there was more figurative rain on you than you could handle.
Looking back at this dark time, can you now better see God’s grace? Can you find the rainbows He sent you?
