wet week

We've had some wet weather around here... something like 5-8 inches in a week??  What I know for sure is that we have 12 inches of standing water in our basement.  Yes, we live in California, and have a basement, and it has become quite clear to me why most houses DO NOT have basements around here. 

Though I admit it is sometimes nice to have an excuse to have an "at-home" day, in general I try not to let the weather keep me inside.  We made it out to stomp around in the mud a few times.  Annike and I even went to our mom/baby outdoor swim class on one of the stormiest days of the year... though I would probably not repeat the experience.  She was a really good sport.  Hey, the class was all about teaching her to get her face wet, so no problem there!

Whenever it rains a lot and we all start to moan about it (we moms are the worst because we feel stuck indoors entertaining our kiddos), I get to thinking about why we have rain, and Who gives it to us.  Now I am no theologian, but in my study of the Bible it seems that the word rain is synonymous with blessings from God.  Rain is intended to be a gift.  (Maybe if we lived in the arid Middle East it would be easier to remember that rain is a blessing, instead of a mean plot against us by the weather man who is scheming to ruin our weekend?)

Just a few Biblical examples of rain given in blessing...

"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.'"  Exodus 16:4

"Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."  Acts 14:17

"that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."  Matthew 5:45

The verse from Matthew is particularly meaningful to me, indicating that God bestows this blessing on those who love Him AND those who don't... those who may have worked hard to earn a blessing AND those who don't deserve it at all.  Not sure which category I am in, but if He wants to pass a blessing along to me, then I will take it!

So, the next time I am tempted to sing "Rain, rain, go away; Come again some other day..." maybe it would be better to spend my energy considering the blessing behind the drops.  Maybe I deserve it, maybe I don't.  Either way, I am desperate enough in my life not to consciously turn away a blessing that God might like to give me.