Sun Showers

Rain and thunder, lightning and wind - the kind that cuts through your coat and leaves you shivering as if you are naked. Raindrops that pound instead of plop and light that blinds instead of dazzles. Soaked to the core, unable to see four feet in front of you.

No shelter to be found, no warmth to be had.

So many times in life people refer to troubling times as a storm. It is an apt description. They advise to stay strong and to wait for the rainbow at the end of the long downpour. They say that the most beautiful things come from torrential experiences and that we have to have faith to endure the trial. I do not disagree with any of this. Sometimes there are times in life when there seems to be no hope and all you can do is cling to the promise of redemption.

But what about sun showers? I am sure you have been in one before. It is bright outside, maybe even a bit warm, or maybe a cool breeze, and out of nowhere you feel soft droplets hit your arm. You look around and see the rain. The sun shines golden glory and reflects on the dimpling puddles. Dampness sets in and permeates the world around you. This is the kind of rain that you take pictures in. A bright yellow raincoat, shiny red rubber boots, a rainbow umbrella and laughter on your face. Are there grey clouds above you? Are they soaking the earth? Well yes, but you can’t see them, and the raindrops seem like nothing. The covering you have is sufficient for this rain. The moment is so delightful and you can do nothing but smile. There is no chilling wind, no ominous thundering, just beautiful sunshine and refreshing rain. And the rainbow, you can already see it. Clear and
vivid colours blending perfectly. The raindrops are falling but you look through them and see the promise - in the middle of the shower you can see it. The earth needs this rain.

What if the storms in our lives could be only sun showers? What if we can rejoice in the middle of the rain and not have to desperately wait for it to end? What if we could see our need for the water instead of wishing for it to go away? Maybe someday we will learn to see sun showers instead of storms.