the rain

I looked up and saw a shadow,
Dark clouds signalled the approach of rain,
The earth grew dark as the sun was lost from view.

I looked for shelter but nothing gave security,
So helpless as the first drops started to fall.
The rain beat down on my exposed form,
As the waters around began to rise.
I struggled against the mighty torrent of water,
Almost about to give up when ... He came,
Covering, sheltering me with His holy canopy ...
Until the rains were no more.

"Why?" I asked my Father.
"Why did You let me face the rain alone before intervening?
Why did I have to face the fear and uncertainty ... alone?"

Then He looked down and said,
"Look around you, what do you see?"

I looked ... and saw the flowers opening in the sunshine,
I saw the water fall from branches shaking off the drops in the gentle breeze.
I felt the fresh grass under my feet and the cool wind blowing,
I heard the birds singing and crickets calling,
as the lingering fragrance of nature surrounded me.

I looked around and saw ... life.

Now when storm clouds gather,
and I cannot see the sun,
I will not fear for I know my Father is here,
And because the rain makes things grow.

sč
KL, December 1996