Bring the Rain

    When this particular photo was taken I remember it was an almost gloomy, but mostly beautiful day! The sky was clogged with silver clouds, and a noticeable breeze blew through the historic streets of Medora, North Dakota. I was scheduled that day to report for ticket selling duty by one o’clock. So, like any rational summer employee, I went to the java spot to load up on caffeine. Before closing the door to my dorm, I reached for a light jacket and was en route to a latte!
    I reached my destination, pulled a triple shot caramel macchiato, and expected to journey back to work dry as a whistle, but wouldn’t you know it, pouring rain! Although the walk to work from the coffee shop is a mere three blocks, I had to assemble some sort of armor. First, I removed my shoes and zipped them into my backpack, which was then sheltered by a trash bag strategically fastened by a fellow barista. Finally, I flipped the hood of my jacket over my head and rolled up the bottom of my jeans. I was ready for war! Well, not really, I was just ready for the rain.
      Down the street and around the corner I went. The flesh of my toes swam in shallow puddles along the sidewalk, and my fingers tried, but failed, to escape into the sleeves of my jacket! My casual commute to work became an unexpected journey of survival! Okay, ‘journey of survival’ may be a little dramatic; nevertheless, it was exciting! I got to laugh, and was forced to be creative!
​       You know, God is really the best at being creative. Sometimes, when a problem comes up, I like to think that He might just be giving me an opportunity to be a little bit like Him. Some days the challenge is figuring out how to stay dry while walking a few blocks in the rain, whereas other days I have to manage getting out of bed while recalling memories of humans I’ve loved and then lost. Inevitably, some days are more fun than others, but we all knew that already! I suppose what I might be trying to say is: not always are my struggles so easy to laugh about, but if a storm can bring glory and honor to the Lord, then bring the rain.

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