This week I stood in the doorway looking out at the relentless falling rain and was immediately reminded of an experience I had a couple of years ago. I had to run into the grocery store to grab a couple of things before picking up my son from rehearsal. It was just sprinkling, so I dashed inside. However, when I came out of the store it was pouring, and I was without my umbrella. I hesitated. Should I wait it out or make a run for it? I decided to run for it. Halfway to my car, an image flashed across my mind. It was from a rainy day when I was a kid.
My friends and I were in our bathing suits covered in mud. When the rain started, we had all run inside to put on our bathing suits and meet up for the best softball game EVER! We didn't care who won. (I know...those of you who know me are thinking, "yeah, right," but it's true!) The object of this game was not about scoring runs...it was about sliding into first (yes, I know that is not allowed), and diving to catch the ball. We were breaking all the rules that day. After all, we were outside playing ball in the RAIN! We were out to get muddy and enjoy every drop of that rain.
So when did I stop thinking rain was so FABULOUS?
Before I reached my car, I just had to stop. I held my arms out with my groceries and all and lifted up my face to really take it in. People probably thought I was CRAZY...but I didn't care. I just wanted to hit the pause button and enjoy the rain.
One of my favorite quotes is:
"Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain."
Life is filled with storms. If you haven't experienced one, you will. Storms come in all shapes, sizes, and intensities. There are little pop up showers like a disagreement with a friend, a flat tire, or a banking error. You feel it, but it passes quickly. Then there are those storms that come into your life and turn your world upside down. You find yourself in the middle of a relational typhoon, a financial tsunami, or a health monsoon like cancer or chronic fatigue. These are the storms that knock the breath out of you and leave you struggling to stand.
One thing is certain...life is filled with storms. The question is not will we have storms, but what will we do when the storms come? Will we stop living when they come, OR do we learn to dance in the midst of the rain? I don't know about you, but I don't want to stand by waiting for the storms to pass. I want to get out there and DANCE!!!!
Next time it's raining I'm gonna
Look up, mouth open wide...
Stretch my arms out to take it in...
I may even break out in song!
One thing is for sure...
I'm gonna DANCE!
Wanna join me?