The Rain brings Beauty in the garden

The pitter-patter of rain on our tin roof was a fitting sound track to end our Friday night as Reis and I snuggled on the couch with a cup of warm tea. I like the rain it makes the grass greener, the dust settle, the dams rise, the plants grow, and sometimes, you’ll even see a rainbow.

This morning however, I saw these little mushrooms. Sprouting amongst my strawberry plant as if they were dancing in a fairy tale.

I watched these little yellow ones grow over the space of a few hours! Facinating! I could see where Disney drew their inspiration from.

These little beauties left me musing about the rain. Despite the beauty it offers, the poor ol’ rain has developed a bit of a negative stigma. It’s rather inconvenient when we’re stuck without umbrellas, or our hair is straightened. Our default response to the presence of rain is to be annoyed or disappointed. This amazes me when it’s rain that we need to live!

Without fresh water to drink we would die, the plants would die and it would make for a dull, quiet, lifeless world. When we think about this, we can set aside our default grumbling attitude and enjoy the rain. Farmers do this when they shout for joy as it rains on their drought stricken land!

It draws a real comparison to the world’s situation with Jesus. Through him, God offers life and life to the full, but his presence isn’t wanted when we’re busy living life to please ourselves. Just like the hair that gets messed up with the rain, many think that Jesus messes up their lifestyle. Like the rain though, you have to see the beauty and hope He brings before you can see that a change to your plans is worth it.

What does He offer? Jesus offers forgiveness for our sins so that we may have the privilege of walking daily with God and the knowledge that if we choose to accept that he died as our King and Saviour to take our punishment for our wrongs against God, that He will help us and strengthen us and answer our prayers according to His good plan. He promises good things.

When we understand the extent our our selfish behaviour and our inability to ever be satisfied with material goods or our own successes, the answer is to look to Jesus. To set aside that initial resistance to him, and choose to be thankful for new life, a fresh start and the wonders that come from a relationship with Him.

If we understand this, we will be as joyous as the farmers in the rain, always wanting to dance in His presence.

Last two images via the talented Elana Germain.