It’s been raining here in New England for most of two weeks. Needless to say we have a few puddles decorating our landscape. Thankfully we are not like the folks along the Mississippi River or in tornado alley. Our prayers are for them. This has been a horrible spring they will never forget.
On a much lighter note I watched a robin this afternoon who has to be the Gene Kelly of the bird world. He was bathing in a puddle and singing his heart out. He was singing in the rain. It looked like he was having a glorious feeling. I found myself wanting to go and join him. There is something infectious about joy. When we hear a child laugh it is difficult to not at least smile. Happiness breeds happiness. And of course the opposite is also true. Maybe I enjoyed the robin so very much because I could not stop thinking about all the loss in the Midwest and the South.
So many prayers will ascend containing the word “Why.” And the answer is because we live in a world where awful things happen to really good people. As much as we want to believe it, the truth is being a Christian does not inoculate us from horror. If it did we could win the world for Jesus in 24 hours, but it would be for he wrong reason. It wouldn’t change hearts; only church membership.
So today I tried to divert my thoughts by watching a robin sing and dance in the rain. If we try we can find some delightful things to brighten our days. But since God is all-knowing I wonder if He ever has a good day. Does the robin help even Him?
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 24, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org