Rainy Morning Message

The message of a rainy morning is to slow down.  It is a message often ignored.  It goes unheard by most of the 9-5 folks who have a time clock to punch, or if not, at least a mental one.  Even though it is a proven fact that slowing down in rainy weather is a safe thing to do, we rush on to meet the deadlines imposed upon us by others or ourselves.  Interestingly enough, even the folks who have no time clock to punch go about a rainy day grumbling over the inconvenience of the rain.   

When God created the order of things, the Word tells us there was a season for staying busy with the work at hand, but that there was also a season for resting.  Unfortunately, the season of resting is largely being lost for so many of us who seem to have more to do than can be done in six days.  The Creator says slow down even as we hurry on our way.  It is the message of the first chapter in the Book of Beginning, it is the message of rainy mornings, and if we are noticing, it is the message of a color filled sunset, the message of a full moon breaking over the horizon, the message of a child seeing wonder and mystery for the first time, the message of the ocean roaring, and the message of the mountains rising toward heaven.  Slowing down and resting is written into the fabric and the voice of creation even though we seem unable to see or to hear.   

There was a time in my journey through the work world when I was truly addicted to working, getting ahead, and getting more.  I am not bragging, but confessing.  I was a little over forty years old which is why I was surprised by the pain which reminded me of what I had read about heart attacks.  I went to the ER, was taken from our small county hospital to a larger one in the city, checked out only to find no medical reason for the pain.  When it was all said and done, my cardiologist said one word as a diagnosis:  stress.  I could have diagnosed myself.  I knew better than the lifestyle I was living.  I had forgotten to smell the roses.  I had forgotten to smell the coffee.  Most of all, I had forgotten about being still and resting in the presence of the Creator.