............................................Need Washing
A little girl had been shopping with her Mum in a town centre store.
She must have been 6 years old,this beautiful red haired,freckle face image of innocence..
It was pouring outside,the kind of rain that gushes over the top of gutters,so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.
We all stood there under the awning of the store.
We waited patiently,others irritated because nature messed up theire hurried day.
I am always mesmerized by rainfall.I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world.
Memories of running,splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was swo sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in
''Mum let's run through the rain,'' she said
''What?''Mum asked
''Let's run through the rain! ''she repeated.
''No,darling.We'll wait until it slows down a bit''Mum replied.
This young child waited about another minute and replied;''Mum let's run through the rain,''
''We'll get soaked if we do,'' Mum said
''No we won't Mum.That's not what you said this morning,'' the young girl said as she tugged a t her Mum's arm
''This morning?When did I say we could run through the rain and notget wet?''
''Don't you remember? When you were talking to daddy about his illness,you said,'If God can get us through this,he can get us through anything!'
The entire crowd stopped dead silent.I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.We all stood silently.No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mum pausedand thought for a moment what she would say.Now some would laugh it off ans scold her 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.
''Darling you are right.Let's run through the rain.If GOD let's us get wet maybe we just needed washing''Mum said
Then off they ran,we all stood watching,smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes,through puddles.
They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked.But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.
And yes,I did. I ran. I got wet.I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions,they can take away your money,and they can take away your health.But no one can ever take away your precious memories.So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN
They say it takes a minute to find a special person,an hour to appreciate them,a day to love them,but then an entire life to forget them
Take time to keep in touch with your friends,even if you never get to see them........
and don't forget to run in the rain.
Richard
BREATHE EASY = FRIENDSHIP
Take a minute to find those special people at your local Breathe Easy group
Joining details from BLF Helpline 03000 030 555 10am 6pm Mon- Fri
The last few flowers of summer....
