Rainy Days
I love rainy days. Splishy, splashy rainy days. My babies love rainy days. They put on their rain boots and splash in puddles. I love to hear my baby boy say, “Me splash in puddles.” Rainy days aren’t meant for class. They are meant for me to be at home sitting in my house watching the rain fall. Rainy days are even better when I’m under my carport listening to the rain.
Growing up, I was always a latch-key kid, so I spent a lot of time home alone. I found that I wasn’t afraid of bad weather if I was actually out in it. So, I would sit on the back porch and watch the rain, regardless of how hard it rained. Since my grandmother’s house, which is now my house, was the safest house around, everyone would migrate to her house during a storm. I have memories of hearing storms bellowing outside, but feeling so safe inside, knowing nothing could harm me there. This was the safest place on earth. Now, I can’t imagine a better place to raise my children than such a safe house. I don’t worry when storms come because I know we are safe. Such a metaphor for life. When life’s storms come, I know we are in a safe place, right in the arms of God. No matter what happens, He will keep us safe.
I love that my children love the rain. Saturday afternoon, as a gentle rain fell, the kids were playing outside. Abby-Kate’s hair is naturally curly, so when she is out in the rain, her hair gets even curlier. The ringlets encase her face with golden curls. She danced and twirled, letting the rain encompass her. She and Jeremiah opened their mouths to catch raindrops, all the while singing the Barney rainy day song. Usually Jeremiah is the first to ask if it will “punder.” He hasn’t quite gotten the “th” sound yet. Sometimes when I’m feeling lazy, I will tell them it is going to thunder or lightening just so I can get them to come inside. That always does the trick.
Being away from my family on a rainy day makes me sad. I’m not sure why. A rainy Monday is even worse. Leaving my family any time is hard, but on a Monday and then a rainy Monday, how can it get much worse???
Okay, that is all my brain can handle right now. I’m always slow in the morning, but today is particularly slow. I’m worrying about my family, finances, life stuff, etc. I’m not really in “that place” right now. I should try to think of something profound, but nothing is coming, so I’ll get something else to eat. Now I’m back, with food, and guilt.
“Grace Like Rain” comes to mind, a contemporary Christian song. I love that song. “Grace like rain falls down on me.” I need that grace right now. Without grace, I have nothing. I want God’s grace to rain down on me with a gentle spirit to fill my soul. Another song that comes to mind is “Washed by the Water.” I feel that I need to be washed by the water again. Life sometimes gets so off kilter and I lose myself. I forget my priorities. I have to remind myself that even in the storms, God is with me. Life brings storms, and he is my umbrella. I feel like I’m in one of those storms right now. A storm of consequences, choices, and confusion.
What is it about rain that makes me sad? Is it because I picture God crying? Is it because I want to cry? What is it? I am not sure, but I’m there today, in a sad place. I know I will come out of it soon, but I’m still sad. Jeff is leaving today, as always on Mondays, Abby-Kate is in daycare for the first time, and I’m worried about life. Such a dreary Monday. Also, I hate to drive in the rain, and that is what I dealt with this morning. In addition, South Georgia is usually awful during a rainy summer day. The stickiness of the day is unreal. The humidity is palpable. The day can almost feel unbearable. Is that what I’m afraid of, and unbearable day? I’m not sure. Maybe it will get better.
Growing up, I was always a latch-key kid, so I spent a lot of time home alone. I found that I wasn’t afraid of bad weather if I was actually out in it. So, I would sit on the back porch and watch the rain, regardless of how hard it rained. Since my grandmother’s house, which is now my house, was the safest house around, everyone would migrate to her house during a storm. I have memories of hearing storms bellowing outside, but feeling so safe inside, knowing nothing could harm me there. This was the safest place on earth. Now, I can’t imagine a better place to raise my children than such a safe house. I don’t worry when storms come because I know we are safe. Such a metaphor for life. When life’s storms come, I know we are in a safe place, right in the arms of God. No matter what happens, He will keep us safe.
I love that my children love the rain. Saturday afternoon, as a gentle rain fell, the kids were playing outside. Abby-Kate’s hair is naturally curly, so when she is out in the rain, her hair gets even curlier. The ringlets encase her face with golden curls. She danced and twirled, letting the rain encompass her. She and Jeremiah opened their mouths to catch raindrops, all the while singing the Barney rainy day song. Usually Jeremiah is the first to ask if it will “punder.” He hasn’t quite gotten the “th” sound yet. Sometimes when I’m feeling lazy, I will tell them it is going to thunder or lightening just so I can get them to come inside. That always does the trick.
Being away from my family on a rainy day makes me sad. I’m not sure why. A rainy Monday is even worse. Leaving my family any time is hard, but on a Monday and then a rainy Monday, how can it get much worse???
Okay, that is all my brain can handle right now. I’m always slow in the morning, but today is particularly slow. I’m worrying about my family, finances, life stuff, etc. I’m not really in “that place” right now. I should try to think of something profound, but nothing is coming, so I’ll get something else to eat. Now I’m back, with food, and guilt.
“Grace Like Rain” comes to mind, a contemporary Christian song. I love that song. “Grace like rain falls down on me.” I need that grace right now. Without grace, I have nothing. I want God’s grace to rain down on me with a gentle spirit to fill my soul. Another song that comes to mind is “Washed by the Water.” I feel that I need to be washed by the water again. Life sometimes gets so off kilter and I lose myself. I forget my priorities. I have to remind myself that even in the storms, God is with me. Life brings storms, and he is my umbrella. I feel like I’m in one of those storms right now. A storm of consequences, choices, and confusion.
What is it about rain that makes me sad? Is it because I picture God crying? Is it because I want to cry? What is it? I am not sure, but I’m there today, in a sad place. I know I will come out of it soon, but I’m still sad. Jeff is leaving today, as always on Mondays, Abby-Kate is in daycare for the first time, and I’m worried about life. Such a dreary Monday. Also, I hate to drive in the rain, and that is what I dealt with this morning. In addition, South Georgia is usually awful during a rainy summer day. The stickiness of the day is unreal. The humidity is palpable. The day can almost feel unbearable. Is that what I’m afraid of, and unbearable day? I’m not sure. Maybe it will get better.
posted by Mary Poppins at
9:05 AM
3 Comments:
I LOVE the song "Grace Like Rain." I used to sing with the BSU praise band when I was in college. I think my favorite song we ever sang was that one. Because we made it our own. We crossed it with the chorus from one of Michael W. Smith's songs... "Let it rain, let it rain, open the floodgates of Heaven, let it rain..." We were a tad bit on the "rocker side" of things... and with that song, we rocked out until we brought it down at the end. I sang that chorus accompanied by an acoustic guitar only. It was so powerful.
By
Carrie Beth, at 9:12 AM
It always amazes me how much there is to worry about. I think I worry enough for both my husband and I. And with a little one on the way, I hope I don't bubble over with worry. Everyone tells me, "you think you worry now, just wait til the baby comes."
We'll do what we can to make your day a good one!
By
Heidi, at 9:18 AM
Alison, your comment about congregating at your grandmother's house during storms reminded me a hurricane we waited out in Apalachicola when I was in fifth grade. A lot of us went to my dad's seafood processing plant on the river. I thought it was a party, but I had forgotten about that experience, so thanks for the prompt.
I had your daughter had a good experience in daycare.
By
Donna Sewell, at 9:00 AM
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