What, rain again?

May 10, 2006

By Fred Smolchuck

The weatherman on Channel 12 announced, “Sorry folks, it looks like more rain for today, tomorrow and probably for the rest of the week.”

“Aw — no! Why does it have to rain and ruin our plans?”

I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard a simultaneous “Aw no” murmuring across the city.

When we were kids, whenever it rained we chanted a ditty, “Rain, rain, go away and come again some other day.” Actually, we didn’t care if we ever saw rain again. All we wanted was to play and have fun in the sunshine. Remember?

“Yeah, but don’t you know rainy days spoil our fun? Rain cancels picnics, ball games, golf and outdoor barbecues. Our annual fair becomes a soggy mess when it rains. So, rain, rain, go away.”

Hey, have you ever noticed that whenever we get three months of nothing but sunshine and hot weather how green grass turns yellow and then brown? Gardens wilt and become nonproductive. Perhaps even you have said, “Hey, look at what’s happening to our tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers!”

So, let’s not complain when rain comes. What a bunch we are! God must either smile or at times get a bit upset with us when we behave like ignorant kids complaining about rain. But He is generous and gracious, and periodically sends us liquid from heaven so we can continue to “live, move and exist.”

Really, without water we can’t live. But we are so tied up with pleasure, fun and the cares of this life that we hardly ever think about giving God “thanks” for sending us the “elixir of life.”

Then again, I wonder how many of us realize God desires to give us a spiritual downpour?

“What’s that?” you ask.

It’s His Holy Spirit bringing us “showers of blessing” when we come to Him daily.

Do I hear someone say, “You talkin’ ’bout prayer again? Aw, c’mon now, I can hardly make it to church on Sundays.”

Well, OK, have it your way, but do you know what happens when we ignore God’s showers of blessing? Clearly, the same thing happens as when it doesn’t rain on our gardens, only worse.

Expect stress, aggravation, impatience, anger, unhappiness, complaints, confusion and other troublesome negatives. These will invade our lives like poisonous weeds. That means life becomes dry and unproductive. No fruit. Is that what we want?

Lord, let Your presence and power rain upon us. Forgive us for ignoring You. Let it rain, Lord Jesus. Yes, let it rain “showers of blessing.” We need them. Send the rain, Lord!

Fred Smolchuck writes “Life’s Bits and Pieces” and lives in Springfield, Mo.