WHEN RAIN FALLS, GROWTH COMES

As I sit in my office, preparing for upcoming journaling and podcast episodes, the soothing sound of rain plays softly in the background. As a retired English teacher of over 30 years and a minister for 60 years, I desire to use my education, and the gifts God has given me to encourage whomever I can, through each writing, verbal encounter and life living.

The sound of rain it something I often use to wind down at night, a calming rhythm that quiets the tempest of the mind and invites rest. Sometimes, I find myself asking Alexa to play those melodic sounds during times of meditation.

Today, as I typed, my spirit was drawn to the words of Psalm 30:5: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

This scripture stirred a deep reflection within me. We all cherish the sunny days, those moments of clarity, celebration, and ease. But when the clouds gather and the rain begins to fall, our plans may be disrupted, our spirits dampened. Yet I’ve come to understand: do not detest the rain.

Why? Because when the rain comes, we grow.

I remember on several occasians during the outdoor picnic of the Family & Friends Celebration in Daytona Beach, FL, when the event experienced, unexpected showers. Prior to the rain falling, the heat was blistering, the sun relentless, the people were sweating profusely and to tell the truth, the heat overtook the fellowship. But when the rain came, many ran for shelter and began to complain about the rain, but in a matter of minutes, it cooled us all. It didn’t ruin the day, it refreshed it.

Likewise, the rain of life, those unexpected downpours in government, church, home, school, or the workplace, may feel overwhelming. But they are not permanent. Psalm 30:5 reminds us: weeping may endure for a night, but joy is promised in the morning.

If you have seed in the ground, faith, purpose, vision, then the rain is not your enemy. It is your nourishment. It is your growth.

So remember, as the rain falls and the Spirit speaks, I encourage you: Embrace the rain. Expect the growth. And prepare for the joy that cometh in the morning.

Bishop Charlene M. Jamison

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