When It Rains It Pours

Oh, how it pours. Like a rock wall crumbling into tiny black pebbles and then melting at your feet, soaking them and making them as cold as ice. The past week it's been raining... hard. And I think those pebbles might have beaten me down and soaked me through a little bit. But, "raining?" you wonder, "but it's a sunny 80 degrees outside. Where are you getting rain?" Well, I could be a smartass, but I'll refrain and just let you know that it is purely metaphorical rain that I'm experiencing. Dark, ominous clouds; vociferous, raging thunder; a barrage of lightning bolts; and thousands of gallons of glacial water... that kind of rainstorm (just for some imagery). 

One of the worst things about this rainstorm is its overwhelming properties. It's like it takes control of your life. First, you no longer want to go outside (you don't think you have any courage left), and instead you confine yourself to the inner chambers of your emotions. If you look through the window, you shudder because it looks so cold and formidable. Secondly, you take a keen interest in, well, nothing. In fact, you abandon all of your previous desires, interests, or goals in lieu of becoming an apathetic 

homebody. Thirdly, the only enjoyment you experience is when the rain stops long enough for you to crack your window open and let some fresh air inside. The rainstorm consumes you... (maybe you turn into a snowman... you sure might be cold enough!)

...but it only does if you let it take over. It's easy to let yourself slip into confinement, and sulk yourself into a depression over why rainstorms like this can hit you so hard at the worst possible moment. But maybe it wasn't the worst moment possible. Maybe it was the best moment possible. Maybe it's meant for now because it will leave the best, most long-lasting positive effects on you NOW. Maybe, just maybe, your time to learn from and adjust to such rainstorms is at the present. 

So, for a few days I really wasn't able to see that it was 82 degrees outside and sunshiny. It was cold; I held a constant chill. And then I prayed. The next day it was like I'd been defrosted. I could feel the sun's warmth tickle my skin. I could feel myself wanting to smile. But most of all, I could feel myself becoming assured.

Everyone experiences their rain. It might be a slight trickle or by the bucket full, but we all have our rain. But maybe instead of closing our doors and opening up our umbrellas, we just stand in it with our arms open wide. Take it, feel the chill, and then feel the sunshine growing in your heart when God answers you.

***

Please pray for

*My parents, who've lost a good part of their livelihoods recently

*My uncle, who is recovering from a sudden stroke (thank you God for answering this one so quickly)

*My Aunt Pat, who will be passing on shortly