Rainy Day Blues

I have the kids write journal entries in school most mornings. It's a great way to teach proper grammar, creative writing and practice their handwriting skills all at one time. Plus, it's nice to have them occupied while I surf facebook, but I digress. This morning we awoke to the third rainy day in a row. Because I am on a quest for spiritual fulfillment, I want my kids to take part as well. Nothing overwhelming, just a little something to get them to think outside of themselves and their circumstances. This morning I was inspired. The title of their entry was to be, "What I like about rainy days." The point was to take what is perceived by most kids as a bad day and have them realize the good things in it. Yes, I impress myself with my wisdom. What is to follow is my sons take on rainy days.

What I like about rainy days is nothing. You have to sit inside all day, and it's so boring. I mean, when is the last time you thought, "I can't wait until tomorrow" and then you wake up and it's raining. So your day is ruined. That is why I hate rainy days.

As much as we want to see the good in all things, sometimes we just can't. I wasn't angry that he couldn't find any joy in the rain. I laughed at his honesty, and then it occurred to me that God laughs at ours. Not in a mocking way, but in a refreshing way. A heart that is honest is a heart that is open. All the Lord needs to move in our lives is a heart that is open to Him. It's not Ethan's job to find the joy in the rain, it is his job to have an open heart so that I can teach him the joy of the rain. That's what I did. We went outside, in the downpour, and we played. We played, we laughed, and his eyes were opened to the joys in the midst of the storm.

Lord, keep my heart honest, keep my heart open, so that you can teach me the joys of the rain.