As a child, I remember a summer when rain was an everyday occurrence. We had a new swimming pool and I longed for sunny days and warm temperatures. But each morning, I woke to the sounds of rain pelting the roof and filling the gutters. Not only did the rain continue day after day, but it was cloudy and cool. Days melted into weeks as the rainy summer dragged on.
Often we don’t appreciate multiple days of rain in row. Rain interferes with our plans, making us cancel or reschedule. For some, a rainy season is even depressing. But there are benefits to seasons of rain in our lives.
Following are some life directives inspired by rain:
Revive
In this world of noise, constant activity and stress, rain slows you down. At first, you may be resistant to a decrease in motion, but usually you begin to realize how tired you are once the pace slows. Go with it. Allow yourself to rest and reflect. Resist the urge to start a project and take advantage of down time. Revive physically, emotionally, and spiritually during periods of life that force you to slow down.
Regroup
We often engage in busyness to avoid thinking about something that is challenging or difficult. We create activities to rationalize not addressing an issue that needs attention. It may be a health concern or a relationship problem that you just don’t want to think about or act on. Rainy days provides a chance to regroup and reorient. Be still. Think. Pray, asking for perception, wisdom, and direction. Then make a list of things you are doing to avoid dealing with your challenge, and in a column next to each item, what is involved in facing the challenge head on. Then restructure your schedule to allow you time to take action and give implementation priority.
Restore
After a period of drought, it takes a while for plants to respond when rain comes. What appears brown and lifeless, slowly begins to show hints of greening after several days of steady rain.
Restoration takes time and patience. When someone attempts restoration of furniture, photos, or houses, it is often a multi-step process. If you skip steps, or rush the process, you may not be happy with the end result.
Think of what you need to restore in your life. Is it discipline in some area? Or a relationship? Think about areas of your life that are parched and in need of restoration. Do what is necessary to begin restoration, knowing it will be a process that requires planning, time, attention, and patience.
Refresh
Water refreshes. Whether a cool drink, a dip in a lake or pool on a hot day, a shower or bath, or the steady rhythm of rain on the roof, water relaxes and refreshes.
What refreshes you? Some are refreshed by getting together with friends or family, or sharing a burden with a trusted friend. Others are refreshed by time spent in nature. Still others find refreshment in the pages of scripture. Find what refreshes your spirit and feeds your soul and make refreshment a priority.
Renew
The word “renew” has many synonyms: regenerate, revive, rebuild, repeat, resume, replenish.
Rain revives, restores, refreshes, and renews, but it also cleanses.
Perhaps you feel your life could use one or more of these r-words or that there are elements of your life that need cleansing. We all experience seasons of life when we long for a boost, when we need a refreshing shower of revival and reinvigoration to maintain forward motion. Often at the heart of this need is a spiritual thirst. Take a deep dive into God’s word. Plunge into prayer. Renew your relationship with your Creator and enjoy showers of blessings.
“I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26 NIV
“Sing out your thanks to him; sing praises to our God, accompanied by harps. He covers the heavens with clouds, sends down the showers, and makes the green grass grow in mountain pastures.” Psalm 147:7-8 TLB
©CandyArrington