Rain Rain Go Away...Or Not.

It's rainy today. Beautifully rainy. There's something so incredibly peaceful about watching the rain nourish life on the ground. The grass, flowers, and trees drink in the rainy day. To them, it's eagerly anticipated. What's the rain to us? Sometimes we see the rain as a means to block out the sunshine. Perhaps we frown because we were looking forward to a warm bright sunny day. It isn't though, until the last rain drop falls and the sun peaks through the gray clouds, over the rainbow and across our green lawn, that we realize just how beautiful this moment is. Not only are the flowers and foliage fully nourished, but now the sun comes out to shine upon all, illuminating the recently-watered beauty. Such a refreshing feeling.

Let's step back. When that first rain drop falls or the gray clouds form overhead, how disappointing that must feel. It's at that moment that we think through our plans to picnic in the park or peruse the zoo and realize we'll have to reschedule; find a better time. How often do we, in that very moment, smile? How often do we see the rain beginning to pour and smile at the thought of all the beauty and nourishment brought to the Earth through precipitation? How readily do we think about that warm feeling of watching the sunshine peek through the clouds after the rainfall? Do we imagine how beautiful that rainbow will be? Do we immediately realize our rescheduled trip to the zoo or park will be just as fun at a later date? Hmmm.

Let's parallel. When life starts to rain...or pour, how do we respond? I find myself in this very spot at work lately. We are getting to a tough time at the end of the year. Re-offering contracts is tough business. It can be mentally and physically exhausting! My previous post was about perspective. I wrote about perspective on our blessings. I know that God is working in my life for my own good. [(Romans 8:28) <-- look it up now! He's working for the good in YOUR life too!] But, when that first raindrop falls, it becomes so hard to hold on to the vision of that rainbow. Rain is falling my friends. In fact, it's pouring. Work is stressful. My job has challenges that I feel intellectually prepared to handle. But, I'm tired. Frankly, I'm tired of having the answers and making the decisions. Despite my fatigue, I'm pushing through. I'm pushing through because I'm committed to seeing through the challenges at our school. I'm pushing through because I believe in the change that is being implemented at our school. I'm pushing through because God has delivered these challenges to my doorstep. He has put this job and all its baggage in my lap. I know that I can't push through this alone. Through this process, He has shown me that I have to rely on Him to push through the struggles of ending this school year.

He has shown me, through this very blog, that rain is a beautiful reality. Despite it's stigma for ruining picnics and parades. It actually nourishes and renews. It brings about a rejuvenated brighter day. I'm holding on for my rainbow. Evaluate the rain pouring in your life...do you see the rainbow?!