When Life Gives You Rain, Dance

When Life Gives You Rain, Dance

Last week, my daughter and her four children came to visit from the “sunny South.” Little did they know that they would be spending their days in the “Rainy North,” and not just rainy, but flooding. I wrote about it. For many people just across the river, the floods were devastating. There was loss of property and loss of life. At our house one afternoon, we watched as the creek rose …

I look forward to my times with family. Those times are far too few. When I know my “babies” are coming, I try to plan adventures for them. True to form, last week I had an itinerary of activities, mostly outside, many traditional for us. Then the rain started. We canceled day 1 plans and went to a movie. Day 2, the rain did not let up, and I was so disappointed. Still, my daughter and the oldest girls, aged 16 and 17, were content to sit on the porch that inspired my first book, and read. It was getting tough for the 5-year-old and the 7-year-old, though. They’re used to being pretty active.

So the rain poured down and they came out to join us on the porch:

“Can we go out there?”

“Out where, baby?”

“Out there [indicates yard].”

“IN THE RAIN?!”

“Yes.”

“Welllll … ask your mama.”

“Mama, can we?”

“Sure. If it thunders, come back on the porch.”

And off they went. They held hands and jumped from the fourth step into a huge puddle on the sidewalk. They stomped and water flew everywhere. They laughed. They danced. For nearly two hours, those two children had the best time gavotting in the rain! When it thundered, they ran back up on the porch, waited a few seconds, then went right back out. Life gave them rain, and instead of complaining, they chose to dance in it. 

Meanwhile, the creek was rising. Frankly, I was getting a little nervous about that. It reached the point where it could have come over the bank. However, the children did not fear. They trusted those who watched over them.

Finally, the rain slackened and we dried them off and went for an old favorite–ice cream supper! So “the best laid plans of mice and [Grammy] often go astray,” This time it didn’t turn out so bad. In fact, it is probably the thing those two children will remember most from their visit.

Lessons Learned

A couple lessons were learned and worth mentioning.First, as I have told this story several times since it took place, people my age all respond the same way: “Oh! I remember doing that when I was their age! We used to have so much fun playing in puddles!” Yes, I did it, too; my brother and I danced in the rain with not a care in the world. And it didn’t cost a cent.

Second. We danced in the rain without a care, just as they did, because we knew those who watched over us had our best interest at heart. Because our loving Father watches over us, we can dance in the storms of life assured that His eye is on us to call us in if the metaphorical creek rises too high.

Third, it’s easy to complain when things don’t work out according to our plans, but as the old Yiddish saying goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Sure, planning is good, even necessary sometimes, but a person should stay open to the fun offered in the moment. 

And when  life gives you rain, dance!

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
— Isaiah 26:3 

God bless you, and may you never miss a chance to dance in the rain.