Need Washing?

A good friend sent me this story in an e-mail.  The author is unknown.  It touched my heart and I think it will yours too.  I'm continually forgetting to take time to make memories.  I get so caught up in the things that have to "get done" I forget to laugh, connect, and enjoy life.  Simply, I forget to live!

One day while shopping, I ran into a little girl who had been shopping with her mom.  She must have been about 6 years old; this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence.

It was pouring rain outside.  The kind 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. The other patrons and I stood under the awning just inside the doorway.  We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day.

I am always mesmerized by rainfall.  I get lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.  Memories came back of running and splashing through puddles, I was so carefree as a child.  This was a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. 

Then I heard the little voice 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?

She repeated, "Let's run through the rain."

"No, honey.  We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute then repeated again, "Mom, let's run through the rain."

"We'll get soaked if we do that," Mom said.

As she tugged on her mother's are the young girl said, "No, we won't, Mom.  That's not what you said this morning." 

Looking bewildered her Mom asked, "This morning?  When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

The young girl answered, "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 became dead silent.  I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain, and amazingly noone came or left in the next few minutes...

The mother thought for a moment about what she would say.  Now some would laugh it off and scold the child 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.

Mom finally answered, "Honey, you are absolutely right let's run through the rain.  If GOD let's us get wet, maybe we just need washing."

Off they ran! 

We all stood watching, smiling, and laughing as they darted past the cars, and yes, through the puddles.  Even though they held their shopping bags over their heads they still got soaked.  A few moments later mom and daughter were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children themselves all the way to their cars.  I also ran, and got wet. 

I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away material possessions, your money, or your health, but no one can ever take away the cleansing of God's love.  Don't forget to make time for Him, and take opportunities to make memories everyday.  To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

I HOPE YOU TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN!

photo credit: Frederic Mancosu