For those of you who live here in Minneapolis, it rained all day yesterday.  I don’t usually mind the rain, but it was cold and I have transitioned to my summer clothes — which made yesterday a bit chilly.

I had a meeting in St. Paul in the morning and drove over there.  No radio.  No talking to anyone.  Just the sound of the wipers and the rain beating on my car.  Here’s what I was thinking about:

Someday, I will hear my last rain fall.  I have no idea when it will be.  I hope it’s a long time from now.  But even if it isn’t, I enjoyed yesterday’s rain.  It was difficult to see at times and I had to concentrate, but it was, in a way, peaceful. It was washing away the dirt from the melting of the snow.  It was washing the dust from my car after a weekend at the ball field.  And, it felt like it was washing over me.

When I got to my destination, I sat in my car for a bit.  No radio.  No talking to anyone.  No wipers.  Just the sound of the rain beating on my car.  Here’s what I thought this time:

Thank you.  Thanks for the chance to hear the rain.  Thanks for the quiet moment.  Yes, just plain, Thank You.

I don’t say that enough.  And, I’m not sure who I’m saying it to.  I guess there will come a day, after my last rainfall, when I’ll know if I’m saying it to anyone but me.  But, until that time, I’m going to say it more often – if for no other reason than it’s a good reminder to be thankful.

Even a dark and rainy day can be an inspiration.

Have a peaceful day.