“All things work for the good of everyone who loves God.”
- - Romans 8:28
Mariah stood under an awning just
outside the Target store where she and her Mom had been shopping. Unlike most children her age, she loved the way
rain fell, so rhythmic and purposeful, like Morse code sent down from the
heavens. She wished she could decipher
it and unlock the message meant specifically for her.
The dark clouds . . . the splinter of lightening . . . the
crash of thunder – it didn’t frighten her as much as it used to. This beautiful red haired, freckle-faced 6
year old seemed mesmerized by the pitter-patter of soft rain on car hoods and
black asphalt: lost in God’s cleansing of dirt and dust from the world.
Adults waited impatiently, irritated that nature had messed up
an already stressful day. Mariah dreamed
of splashing carefree through the parking lot puddles – no worries in her day.
"Mommy! Let's
run through the rain," she said in a voice so sweet it broke the hypnotic
trance her mother must have slipped into. "What?" Mom asked.
"Come on,” she urged, “Let's skip through the rain. It’ll be fun!"
"Honey, let’s wait until it slows down a bit," Mom
replied, "otherwise we'll get soaked!”
"No we won’t,” you said so this morning,” Mariah said
as she tugged at her Mom's arm.
"This morning? When
did I say we could dash through the rain and stay dry?"
The entire crowd went dead silent, no sound but the
rain. Mom paused thoughtfully for a
moment before responding. She was
tempted to laugh it off as just Mariah being silly again. Some might have even ignored what she said. But this was a teaching moment: a time when
innocent trust could be nurtured so that it will bloom into boundless faith.
"Honey, you’re absolutely right, let's run through the
rain. If God lets us get wet, maybe we
just needed washing," Mom said.
So off they ran. The others stood watching, smiling and
laughing as Mom and daughter darted past the cars and stomped through the
puddles. They got soaked. Soon everyone followed screaming and laughing
like children all the way to their cars.
They must all have needed washing.
Some people dance in the rain . . . others just get wet. Circumstances can strip away your material possessions, your
money, and even your health. But nothing
can erase precious youthful memories. Don't
forget to make some memories every day. And
never cry because it’s over . . . smile because it happened.
Dearest Lord, help me and remind me to accept joy, play, and fun into
my life. Show me the opportunities and encourage me to take the time so I can
enjoy life and live it to Your fullest glory.”
Amen
