It’s raining today. That drizzly rain that just makes the whole day overcast and grey. It’s clean-the-house-and-do-laundry-day and I am indoors scrubbing counters and finding Lost Socks — so the rain hasn’t affected my plans much. However, I’ve been thinking about the weather lately. Maybe because we still have to take the snow tires off my van before they melt off in the current heatwave. So much for spring; we jumped directly into summer here. A few weeks ago we got iced over and had to dig out of more snow. Yesterday, it was 25 degrees Celsius and we cursed the heat. I guess this is why us Canadians talk about the weather so much… we can experience it all in a span of a week! The rain is cool, though. One minute drizzly and just “damp” like today… and then it can turn evil and dark and pound a beating into everything that lies beneath it’s path. The wind usually is a close partner with the rainstorm. Many of our neighbours lost power this week, and some big, beautiful, old trees succumbed to the downpours. My hubby licked his chops at all the free firewood that quickly became available. It’s pretty amazing that with all our technology we still can’t totally harness the weather. We need it to nourish our lands and produce our food. Yet, it can wipe out crops and buildings in a flash flood. Makes me muse: God is truly in control.
I learned a new word in preparing for this post. A “pluviophile” is, according to the dictionary, “a lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days.” I might be one. Thunderstorms don’t bother me either. We are one of those crazy families who run out in the downpour, gets all soaking wet, and scares all the neighbours with our crazy hoots of laughter. I have video proof of my boys doing just that. No, I am not going to post it out of respect for my neighbours. You can imagine it. Three wildebeests splashing each other in the puddles like Max and his Wild Things, with no regard for the quiet character of our cul-de-sac. Much more refined, (and thanks to a recent birthday) the girls and I now all have really cute and happy rubber boots — we will be fun “fashionistas” next storm. Might show you that one on Instagram. (I’m working on how to make those Instagram worthy pics like all the super-bloggers…. although I wish we had little ones still so they could have sharks or crocodiles or yellow duckies or something on their adorable little wellies… so cute they make these things now! But I digress…)
Besides the obvious story of Noah and the Ark… there are lots of references to rain and weird weather in the Bible. It’s worth a search. One that recently made me think a little, was Deuteronomy 28:12: “The Lord will open up his heavenly storehouse so that the skies send rain on your land at the right time, and He will bless everything you do.” Now, he’s talking to the Israelites and I’m not great at Old testament history and all their “blessings of everything they did” … so I am not going there. The part that struck me was the “at the right time” blip. Our lives are a journey of dry spells and some good soakings. 
Rain comes at the right time… to nourish the land and cleanse it. Spring is that rainy season that washes away the winter muck and brings us out again to meet our neighbours and taste and smell the “green”. A little flowering wonderland happens after the rains. We just have to wait for it. Sometimes we are parched and dry and have to learn patience as we wait for the rain. We worry and fret and wonder if all will ever work out like we plan. Often, this is when we cry out to God and demand that He sends the rain again to quench our needs. And He does… but in His time.
So, if you are a “pluviophile” like me and enjoy the peace of a rainy day, curled up with a great coffee and a book or some peaceful colouring, then remember that it is “at the right time” that you are there. Enjoy your blessings and be thankful for them. If you are patiently waiting for a good soaking and fretting a bit at the parched land you see around you right now, don’t fear my friends. There is a great big God up there who is in control of the weather. He’ll send some cooling rain soon. And if you are in the middle of a scary, dark storm full of pounding rain that refuses to let go and you feel like you just might drown in it… grab some crazy friends and go hoot at the neighbours. Wear your pretty polka-dot rubber boots. God’s got it under control.
There are soo many great photos of rain! And trust me, it’s hard to get some good shots of weather! Today’s post contains only one of my own photos (the boots). The others were graciously loaned to me by two friends: Jessie Robins, a university student and new follower, and Adi C. a friend, blog supporter and great amateur photographer. Blessings to you both!
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