Dancing in the Rain

One of my all-time favorite quotes is "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." I have this quote framed in my house as a constant reminder to me. I have thought about it a lot and I have really tried to live by it...something that is not always very easy.

The last couple of weeks have brought on some major "rain storms" for some close friends and a family member of mine. It has been so hard to just helplessly sit by and wait for these storms to pass, especially when you don't know exactly when that will be. But then the other day I had a moment of clarity.

It is a very rare occasion here in the south to have a summer rain without having thunder and lightening. Well, the other day it happened. So I did what any mom with three restless children and a brand new sleeping baby would do...I told them to go get their swimming suits on and have fun in the rain. They were ecstatic, in fact, so much so that I just couldn't not join in on the fun. As they ran around laughing, squealing, and dancing, I quickly ran inside to grab my camera in an attempt to capture the moment. The pictures don't even do justice to what I experienced. There in the center of the rain storm was the sun shining in all of its glory. As it streamed through the trees, each individual rain drop became more distinct and clear. It is so hard to even put into words, but it was beautiful. The rain poured down for about 20 minutes and during that whole time, the sun shone brightly, an occurrence that is very rare and one that I feel blessed to have witnessed.

Although I can't really capture what I saw with my camera or with words, I do know what I felt inside. I felt the Spirit testify to me that although the storms of life will fall upon each one of us, right there in the center of each storm is the Son. Sometimes it may be hard to feel or see His presence when the storm clouds seem to have taken over, but He is and always will be there. There are distinct moments in my life when I have been in the thick of the storm with clouds surrounding me in every direction, but in each one of those times, as I have pleaded for intervention and turned heavenward, I have always found the warm embracing love of the Savior.

Although there is nothing that I can specifically do for these individuals who I love so much, I can pray for the sun to shine upon them. I can pray that as He shines upon their rain storm that they will be able to see things distinctly and clearly and know that all these things will be for their good.

After those 20 minutes passed, the rain stopped and there above us was the most beautiful rainbow. Of all things on the earth and in the sky, there is nothing that so powerfully witnesses to me of a divine creator than a rainbow. He is not only the creator of the earth but also the creator of each of us. He is in control and He has a plan...knowing that is what makes it possible to dance..... especially when it's in the rain.