[CS-FSLUG] "Mom, let's run through the rain."

[Fred Miller]

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in
Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this
beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of
innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of
rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so
much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to
flow down the spout. We all stood there under the
awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart.
 
We waited, some patiently, others irritated
because nature messed up their hurried day. I am
always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the
sound and sight of the heavens washing away the
dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running,
splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in
as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
 
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the
hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's
run through the rain," she said.
 
"What?" Mom asked.
 
"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
 
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,"
Mom replied.
 
This young child waited about another minute and
repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"
 
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
 
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this
morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her
Mom's arm.
 
This morning? When did I say we could run through
the rain and not get wet?
 
"Don't you remember? When you were talking to
Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get
us through this, he can get us through anything!"
 
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you
couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood
silently. No one came or left in the next few
minutes.
 
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she
would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold
her for being silly. Some might even ignore what
was said But this was a moment of affirmation in a
young child's life. A time when innocent trust can
be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
 
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run
through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well
maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
 
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling
and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes,
through the puddles. They held their shopping bags
over their heads just in case. They got soaked But
they were followed by a few who screamed and
laughed like children all the way to their cars.
 
And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed
washing.
 
Circumstances or people can take away your
material possessions, they can take away your
money, and they can take away your health. But no
one can ever take away your precious memories..So,
don't forget to make time and take the
opportunities to make memories everyday. To
everything there is a season and a time to every purpose
under heaven.
 
A friend sent this to me to remind me of life.
Hope you enjoy it.
 
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE
RAIN.

-- 
"Ballmer is no more designed for the art of persuasion 
than the Abrams tank is for delivering meals on wheels."