"The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Yesterday was messy.  It rained ALL DAY.  I enjoy rain when I can stay at home.  In fact, it is quite soothing to be curled up on the couch, watching the rain out of the window, and listening to the hypnotic pattering on the roof.  But yesterday I couldn't stay home.  So, I armed myself with my umbrella, and off I went.

Beyond the obvious problem of getting wet, rain leads to dirty cars, water splattered on the inside of the car door, puddles that have to be walked through, mud tracked in the house, and dangerous driving conditions.  Rain makes cold weather seem colder, and it causes some people to feel sad. Rain can ruin a planned picnic, a baseball game, or an outdoor wedding.  Occasionally, it rains while the sun is shining, but for the most part, when there's rain, there is also no sunshine.  But in spite of its inconveniences, we all know that rain is necessary.  More than that, rain is a blessing from God.

Life is kind of the same way.  It can be messy.  Things happen to us that cause inconvenience, worry, and even danger - the rain of our lives, if you will.  People disappoint us, and sometimes they even hurt us.  We get sick, sometimes chronically so.  We lose loved ones.  Sometimes we lose our jobs, or suffer a hit to our bank accounts due to some unforeseen emergency.  Houses flood, or burn down, our cars break down, the refrigerator stops running, or the dog dies.  And the list goes on and on.  

But just like physical rain, those storms of life can actually be beneficial, even in spite of the mess.  They can make us more focused on what is truly important in life, and cause us to be more appreciative of the good - just like the way we will appreciate the sun when we finally see it again.  Rain in our lives can draw us closer to God, and give us the unique perspective of suffering that allows us to be able to help out others who will experience similar storms (2 Cor. 1:3,4).

The weather man says that today the sun will shine.  If he's right, I will appreciate its warmth and light more because of yesterday's rain.  But if rain comes again today, I will also be thankful for the good and the growth it will bring.  And I pray that I will also feel the same regarding the "sunshine" and "storms" of life.