Rumble sky in the wee hours, bright flashes and the heavy pattering of pouring rain wake me from a sound sleep this morning.

Laying in the dark, pierced by momentary light, I seek the Lord.  Opening my hand, letting go of my desire for sleep’s return, I embrace Him and burrow under His wings as I snuggle against the man sleeping soundly by my side.

And I thank God for the early morning interruption, truly, though, a call to come close.

I pray.  Listen to the thunder. Hear His voice speaking clearly in the world beyond the window.

“What do You wish to say to me, my Lord, with this half past three wake-up call?”

Silence oozes an answer warm, spreading a cover over me like a soft-as-baby-skin blanket. Swaddled in His arms. Gift!

And then He brings to mind another rain storm, long ago and far away. My sons were elementary school age and younger on a summer afternoon turned dark and cloudy, raindrop ready.

We had trekked to the craft store in town to purchase items for a project we were working on. {There were always projects in those days of endless summer plus science experiments and outdoor exploring, friends and fun, and lots and lots of swimming. All stories written on our hearts.}

Forgetting the threat of rain outdoors, we wandered up and down aisles, selecting trinkets and such. Arms full at checkout, I was surprised to see shoppers swarming by the front door. Waiting.

The sky, menacingly dark, had opened wide and rain gushed in sheets.  Soaking everything in sight.  Making rivers run alongside the gutters. Teeming cats and dogs, run amok.

With umbrella safe and dry at home, the four of us huddled in the crowd for a moment before I got a gleam in my eye. Glancing at the boys and nodding towards the rain, I raised a brow and challenged them to dodge the raindrops with me.

And we did.

Laughing our heads off all the way.

Splishing and splashing, instantly soaked to the skin. Drenched through and through.

Safe sans lightening, puddles begged to be jumped in.  And each boy did his best to outdo his brother with the biggest splash.  All the way across the deserted lot to our car on the far side.

And we just kept laughing.

And the people by the store, they got a show.

Who knows what they were thinking…maybe “She’s crazy” or just maybe, for a moment “Wish I was out there with them!”

We seized the moment.  And I am so glad we did.

And had I not chosen to receive the blessing of the “interruption” this morning, I would have missed the gift of His presence, heart made and home delivered per His will on a rainy morning. With a sweet memory and a post to boot!

Smiling, my quiet heart thanks Him. Dearest Husband turns in his sleep and I praise God, feeling all yummy inside.

The rain rain rain keeps coming down down down, with those momentary flashes filling a sky now shades lighter with dawn’s approach.

And just outside my bedroom window I hear an intrepid little bird begin his day in praise to the Maker of us all.

Singing his soggy little heart out.

My own soaring with each note in this moment of pure Grace.

Grateful heart climbs out of bed to greet the day the Lord has made.

Joining the chorus…

~sheila

Image compliments of digitalart