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Joy in a Rainstorm

The best moment of your life. Quick. Go. I've been asked that before. I've listened to other people's answers. It all depends on age really, how far you are in the typical timeline of life for the majority. Answers usually consist of things like; wedding day, birth of a child, moving out for the first time, a travelling experience. And while I see the joy in all those situations, from as far as I've come, one afternoon topped them all. I'm kind've a loner. Not because I don't want to be. I guess I was designed with a strong introvert personality. I like hanging out with friends, but my perfect day off would probably consist of taking myself out to lunch and a movie, then spending my evening on the couch with a rye and coke trying to up my Call of Duty rating. Yup, that's me. Anyway, that said, I had a wicked experience several years ago. I couldve been about 16. My mind doesn't really remember age or year particularly well. It was a warm spring day and the gorgeous sun lit up a bright blue sky. I just got home from school and pretty much fell through the door. I get severe hereditary migraines several times a month and this day was particularly painful. I was physically drained and being a high school student didn't really help the emotional side of things either. I slid through the entrance and threw my stuff in my room, collapsing onto the bed. No sooner had I closed my eyes that I heard rain start to fall. "How could it be raining?" I thought. It was sunny out. I got up and peered through the window well in my basement room. It was pouring. I ran upstairs and walked outside. It was still sunny, but one big cloud moved over from the west and unleashed everything it had. I ran into the street greeted by the heaviest, warmest rainfall I'd ever experienced. It fell straight down and was so heavy I had a hard time seeing through it. My head hurt so bad but I had to stay. Sunshowers my mom called it. We'd get them sometimes at Dogtooth but never like this. It was beautiful. I started walking down the street. There were no cars, which was good because they probably wouldn't have been able to see me anyway. I got to the first stop sign and a boy about my age, drove by on his bmx, hitting all the quickly growing puddles he could. His t-shirt tied around his head, we made eye contact and he gave a loud "Whoohooo!" I couldn't not respond to his enthusiasm. There was something about this rain that made my heart swell through my chest. To the point I had to remind myself to breath. I turned down the street after him and figured I'd go around the block. I wanted to stay in that rainfall forever. I didn't even realize I wasnt wearing shoes. The only way to describe it was magical. Or maybe I should say heavenly, cuz as I rounded the last corner home the rain let up, the cloud moved on and a gorgeous rainbow filled the length of the sky above my head. I can't say I wasn't disappointed it was over so soon, but I praised the Creator for an experience I realize now He made just for me. It's something so simple, but something He knew I wouldn't ever forget. Something I would later realize was His hand of peace amidst my chaotic, but typical teenage day. And He didn't have to, but I walked into the house and I suddenly realized my migraine had completely disappeared.

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Unknown said…
He is very personal and intentional that way
April 8, 2013 at 5:05 AM
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