Food for Thought

[kimblanchard]

I thought this story "Running In The Rain" was worth posting

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have

been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of

innocence. It was pouring outside.. The kind of rain that gushes over

the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no

time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and

just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others

irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always

mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens

washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running,

splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve

from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were

all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's

run through the rain," "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young

girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get

wet?

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer,

you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through

anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I promise you, you couldn't hear

anything but the rain. We all stood silently No one came or left in the

next few minutes.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some

would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore

what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's

life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom

into Faith..

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD

let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they

darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their

shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they

were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the

way to their cars.

And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they

can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one

can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make

time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything

there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.