Joy in the Raindrops

I've been reading a lovely book called, A Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  It's the life story of one woman's journey into a thankful and joyful life.  The way that Voskamp unravels her story is really quite simple, but it's also breathtakingly beautiful. The basic line of thought she explores begins when she recognizes she is living a life as a believer without joy. Through a series of life events, she realizes that her amount of joy is directly related to the amount of thankfulness she expresses for God's grace in her life.

Usually when I stumble upon some reading that really challenges me, I see it play out in my life. Jesus knows that I usually have to try things out to learn a good lesson.  A couple of days ago, I began my regular 7ish block walk home from class.  Only this time, it was pouring.  It was kind of a chilly day without the rain, and, because I've been trying to force spring to arrive, I wasn't wearing a coat. Needless to say, this rainy walk wasn't exactly something that I was looking forward to! As I walked back and the raindrops began to fall harder, I remembered the notion of thankfulness leading to joy. I decided to be thankful for the raindrops and for the thorough soaking that I was receiving.

Funny, because almost as soon as I decided to smile at this gift from Him, I was more joyful! And, scripture started pouring into my mind, a conversation with the Holy One, explaining more to me about this act of choosing thankfulness and receiving joy.  He said, 'Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated, at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3)."

"Hmm..." thought I, "Could this be what it means to be thankful?  Could it be that seeing earthly things through His eyes is the beginning of joy?"

He answered,
"⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

   neither are your ways my ways,”
            declares the LORD.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
   so are my ways higher than your ways
   and my thoughts than your thoughts. 
¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
   come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
   without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
   so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
   It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire 
   and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
¹² You will go out in joy
   and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
   will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
   will clap their hands.
¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
   and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD’s renown,
   for an everlasting sign,
   that will endure forever.”

And all I could do was grin a ridiculous grin and thank Him for how wonderfully He weaves pieces of my life together to teach me more about loving Him.  

I arrived home completely soaked, but much the better for it. Joy in the raindrops.

On an early morning drive, everything was covered in ice and incredibly beautiful. Good work, Jesus.