Yesterday it rained.
Not the rain with lots of thunder....
Not the one that makes you want to hide in bed, safe under the covers....
Not the downpour that sounds like a bucket is being dumped directly on top of you....
Not the sparatic drops that are barely enough to call a drizzle....
Oh no. This rain was a steady, methodical, soothing, peaceful sort of rain....
The sort of rain that makes you want to lay on the pavement with your eyes closed and just let the drops land all over your body....
The the beat that must have Josh Garrells, JJ Heller, and The Piano Guys playing in the background...
That rain that makes me want to curl up on my bed, blog, drink Chai tea, wear my glasses, read good books, journal, draw and sleep. All while sporting my over-sized flannel shirt and leggings...
The rain that brings a contented smile to your face
I realized today that I think of rain in two ways.
{1} Rain can bring the raging storms
{2} Rain can bring healing
You know that feeling you get when you hear the thunder crashing? You look out the window and all you see is grayness. The wind blows the trees viciously about, and rain beats against the walls of your house. It really makes you want to find a warm corner to curl up in with a big blanket... just so you can get away from the noise and insecurity, and back to a safe place... at least that's what it does to me.
But I realized that this doesn't only apply to our physical lives.
I can't even begin to describe to you how many times (especially recently) when I have felt like I'm emotionally and spiritually caught "in a storm". Some of you relate?
I imagine myself in the middle of a large field of wildflowers with only one tree- this is not an ordinary tree, mind you, it is a mighty oak. Just like any other tree, the oak provides shade for me, a home for birds, squirrels, and other creatures and is honestly, an astounding example of what God's beauty in nature is. Frolicking around in the bliss of this field, I throw myself down on the ground, basking in the warm sunlight, surrounded entirely by the simple elegance of the wildflowers. I feel happy.
Without warning the sky darkens, and within seconds it's pitch black. I can't see a thing, and I stand up trying to understand what is going on. Then I feel the temperature begin to drop and I pull my arms closer to my body. Grumbling sounds issue from the looming darkness above me, shortly followed by a thundering clap. I run frantically for the tree, uncertain of it's exact location. Unfortunately, I have totally lost my sense of direction, and find myself being drowned in the chaos of the storm. Falling to my knees, I'm overcome by the oppression of the raging wind whispering things that aren't true, the rain beating down on my back relentlessly, and the lonely darkness encompassing me. I'm pulling every piece of clothing as close to my body as it will go, trying to stay warm- but nothing helps. Finally, I rollover onto my back, and release all the tension in my muscles, sprawling out on the ground facing the sky. I feel defeated.
A gleam of light flies over my head, drawing my gaze to my left. A faint glow radiates in the distance. Not knowing exactly why, I get up and begin running towards a light with every part of my being. Something in me just knows light brings security and shelter from this torrent. As I approach the source of the light, I come upon the familiar sight of the old oak tree. Flinging myself beneath it's mighty branches, I'm immediately sheltered from the storm. I feel safe, again.
Then there's the peaceful rain.
I'm having a long day of monotonous homework, I can't find anything good food to snack on, no music is interesting enough to hold (or divert) my attention, it's a weird sort of grayish color outside, it's cold, I have a headache and I fell completely useless. Giving up momentarily, I lay my arms on my desk and my head on my arms. I doze off.... taking a retreat from the pressures of being awake. But my serenity is broken when I'm roused by the ever so faint sound of raindrops on the roof. It's an even, unbroken, faint pitter-patter. Drip drop drip drop. Without opening my eyes or lifting my head, I feel an odd sort of rejuvenation. A surge of energy seems to race through my body. Energy that makes you want to smile. I open my eyes and when I turn and look out my window, it's no longer a gloomy gray, it's a refreshing blue.... like a spring rain when you can almost smell the flowers growing. I'm tempted to go and lay in the driveway or dance around barefoot in the front yard, but opening my window will have to do.
Does any of that make sense? The havoc and chaos the "storms of life" bring us are sometime overwhelmingly discouraging. There are times where we feel like we just need a rest. Nonetheless, we have a solid rock on which to stand, a Shepherd to seek comfort from, a friend we can tell all our darkest secret to, and a Father to guide our steps. Isn't that awesome!
Yesterday was one of those peaceful rains. I took my shoes and hat off yesterday and ran through my college campus parking lot twirling, skipping, jumping into puddles and singing like a little girl. Oh, how refreshing it was to bask in the Lord's natural cleansing of his creation. It was beautiful! I think shall do that more often.
So, raindrops. I like you. In whatever form you take.