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He provides rain for the earth; he sends water on the countryside.
-Job 5:10
Last night, it was pouring rain, and as May evenings go in Georgia, it was cool and pleasant. Our youngest, being a toddler, one born in quarantine especially, has not experienced much rain, so I brought him out in the garage and held him under the roofline. We stretched our hands out into the falling rain and he giggled with glee as water splashed on his arm from the sky. Then he licked his hand and squealed in pure joy. In his experience, water comes from baths and from kisses. He delights in both.
Then he looked at me and I said that the rain comes down from God and that God loves him. I know he doesn’t really fully comprehend, but the words made him smile and he began to put his hand to his mouth and make clicking noises and extend his arm back to the rain, his version of blowing kisses. The rain was bringing him joy, and he was returning love and appreciation, which was the perfect response. And inspiring.
As believers, we may remember to thank God for answered prayers, for miracles, for close calls, for huge blessings, and all the big things. But what about all the little ones? When was the last time you drove past a farm and thanked God for the produce that grows? When did you last hear a child playing and thank God for laughter? When did you last hold your arm out to the rain and feel it kiss your skin and thank God for the rejuvenation it brings the earth? Tonight, cloudy or clear, rainy or starry, step outside for a moment, stretch out your arms in the night air, and reflect on a dozen little things for which you are thankful in that moment. And if you’re inspired to blow a kiss to the heavens, I hope you will.
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