Rain

Well, I am pretty sure that people have drowned in less water than what I just had to wade to get here today... Lets just say its rainy in the old town! What really doesn't help is that the cafe is definitely lower than lake level, so when there are really big rains... there is pretty much no where for the water to go! Hench the small creek that I waded this morning!
I should also tell you though that I really do love rain! One of my special joys and delights in life is walking in the rain! Especially a good warm summer rain, then I love to run outside and splash in the puddles that run down our street. (and yes, I know that is childish, but you really ought to try it sometime, because it is so much fun. I think it probably takes about a half a year off of your life every time that you do it!)
So I had the absolutely most heart felt talk with a guy once... and he was the oddest guy (completely covered in tattoos, always wore black, you know...) Anyway I was talking to him about walking in the rain, and we were looking out the window, (from work, which there wasn't any to do, hence the talk) and watching people in the rain. I think it is a very interesting study in human nature to watch people walk in the rain. Let me explain what I mean...
* There are the people that walk down that street and their every aim is to make sure that none of the rain gets on them. Not a drop, cause it might ruin their nearly immaculate appearance. Their umbrellas are up, and I might add, unnecessarily big! The gingerly step over or walk all the way around every puddle. Their chief goal, it appears is to never let themselves be spoiled with one drop of the precipitation.
* Then there are the people that don't much seem to care. It appears that the rain is simply one more obstacle that life has put in their way to slow them down. But they too have their umbrellas out, because goodness knows, "a little rain isn't going to slow me down, and I'll come out unscathed if it can be done!" They are oblivious to the rain, except as it impedes their progress forward. They however may march right through a puddle unswerving and unfeeling because it allows them to speed their journey.
* And of course there are the people that really seem to enjoy the fact that they were too cool to wear a slicker or use an umbrella. They appear not to mind too much the fact that they are trudging through the rain, getting soaked clear through, and their faces seem to say that "this is just my luck". As if life is one giant thunderstorm which they have no hope of evading, and have therefore found it much easier to just drag their way through it. "Puddles? Who cares, I am going to catch my death of pneumonia anyway..." Their eyes seem to want to release tears to fall down with the rain and mingle in one puddle on the ground.
* Then there are the people that glory in the rain. Somehow, I believe they have found the secret to life. These particular people may or may not sport an umbrella, they generally dress for the rain, but are not afraid to catch a drop in their hand. They didn't necessarily venture out today just because it is raining, but they don't mind it too much. Their eyes see the beauty in the rain, and while they are still realistically conscious of the results, they don't mind splashing through a puddle or two, even on purpose. They may be observed catching raindrops in their mouths. And standing in the street side current in bare feet, (while completely unsanitary), brings a strange sparkle to their eye. Its almost like the loveliness of the fact that everything around them is being renewed by the torrents somehow seeps into their hearts and renews them as well.
Okay, so what was all that, you ask? That was my futile attempt to put into living colors for you the beauty of suffering.
Yeah, I know, now you are completely lost. But think about it for a little while... then decide, when God brings suffering (rain) into your life what are you doing with it? Are you fighting it? Are you just trying to muscle your way through it? Are you allowing it to completely drain your joy? Or are you sincerely able to look up to the heavens from whence it pours and praise Him in the storm, knowing full well that all He wants to do is refine His work in your life by washing you pure with the water of hardship.