It rained this afternoon. I was so entertained by watching the neighborhood children enjoy the rain.
One of them rode his bike up our driveway and we talked. He was in the rain and showed no interest in changing that. I stood in our garage.
I asked him if he was enjoying the rain. He told me enthusiastically he was. We agreed it was somewhat like a water park.
I asked him if he thought people older than he was could enjoy being out in the rain too. He said he thought they could.
He rode off in favor of doing another lap or two. But then he returned. He said, “I saw some older people riding their bikes in the rain.” I asked him if he knew how old they were.
He thought for a minute and then said, “I think they were teenagers.”
I asked him if he thought people as old as Jay and me could play in the rain. I was greatly comforted by his immediate response that he thought we could. He said, “It’s fun!”
As he rode away again, we were joined by his sister. She was on her scooter. She amused herself and us by riding in the rain and then riding across the dry places under the edge of the garage. In so doing, she was able to make artsy patterns on the dry concrete.
She returned again and again, adding a different pattern each time. She finished with a flourish by “drawing” a couple of Js for us.
Getting to enjoy the creativity of children is a gift. Once again today, I wonder where adults lose all that Joy and ability to create, using simple things.
I wonder how we adults so often become stiff and formal with each other instead of spontaneously sharing the golden moments of life.
And I wonder what would happen the next time it rains, if we all ran outside and danced in the rain together!
God intended for us to have Joy. Jesus came for that very purpose!
“These things I have spoken to you, that My Joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
John 15:11
Carrie Newcomer’s song sums it up very well. Enjoy!
