Rain is a beautiful part of God’s creation, and it is a great reminder to take time to rest.
Recently, it rained all day. If you know me, you know I love rain; however, getting stuck out in severe downpours is not my favorite thing. Rainy days can teach us many things, yet we often overlook these important lessons. Due to the fast-paced society we live in, it can be hard to slow down and enjoy a relaxing rainy day. Whether at work, home, or on the go, rainy days can teach us many important lessons that we can carry with us during the sunny days.
Here are five lessons from a rainy autumn day:
1. Slow Down
One lesson from a rainy autumn day is to slow down. I understand, maybe slowing down is not an option for you. You’re too busy, you have too many things to get done, and you are completely exhausted. No matter how busy you are, there is beauty in slowing down. Slowing down takes extra time; however, you will be better able to enjoy things. With the rain falling outside, you can take time to slow down.
Slow down in the form of getting some extra sleep or take your workload a little slower for the day. The rain outside might last for a little bit of time, and it is a good reminder to slow down. Take your time and don’t rush. Whatever you are working on will be there when you get back. If it rains on a weekend or a day off, you’ll have even more peace of mind to slow down for the day.
There is nothing wrong with slowing down and taking some extra time to complete a task. Even if you are just on a walk and a rainstorm starts, you can take your time. Most people try to hurry through a rainstorm in order to not get wet, but if you have your umbrella, you’ll be able to peacefully walk through the rain. If you have earbuds in, take them out and enjoy the softness of the sound of rain.
2. Take Time to Rest
A second lesson from a rainy autumn day is to take time to rest. Resting is often seen in a negative light nowadays, but there is nothing wrong with resting. It is not “sinful” or “lazy” to take time to rest. Everyone needs rest—it’s part of being a human. We cannot expect ourselves to function properly if we are not taking time to rest. Sleep is important, but this is not the only form of rest.
Rest can also be done through taking a self-care day off from work, doing something you enjoy, or just chilling on the couch. Resting is important and can help you recharge physically, mentally, and emotionally. I have recently had to learn the art of rest because the body can only take so much. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, our bodies can’t keep running to full capacity when we keep pushing them beyond their limits.
If this resonates with you, it’s time to take a rest. The rainy day is a perfect time to do this as the gentle tapping of the rain outside provides a sense of calmness and serenity. During sunny days, it can feel as though you have to get going and get everything done; however, during rainy days, you are often met with the feeling to slow down and take things easy. Rain is a beautiful part of God’s creation, and it is a great reminder to take time to rest.
3. Enjoy the Little Things
A third lesson from a rainy autumn day is to enjoy the little things. Closely being tied together with slowing down and taking time to rest, we also need to stop to enjoy the little things. By slowing down and resting, we will be more aware of the little things. Maybe you are on a walk and you notice how the raindrops hit the ground or how the gray cloud provides you with a feeling of peace. You might even spot a rainbow or the sun peeking out toward the end of the rainstorm.
If you’re inside, look out the window and notice the rain falling. Notice the trees swaying in the wind or the accompanying lightning flashing in the sky. Maybe something small and sweet will be on your window, such as a ladybug or a caterpillar. Slow down and enjoy these little things. The rain often brings out new friends or unique clouds in the sky that you can’t see on sunny days.
The rain is beautiful, and it can help us enjoy the little things. It is hard to enjoy the little things when we are overwhelmed, yet the rain can give us the calmness we need. Don’t allow the worries of the world to steal your joy. There is no happiness or joy if you are always overcome with stress and can’t enjoy any part of your life. Slow down and take time to enjoy all the little things. You might notice something you’ve never seen before or feel an inner peace that you have never felt before.
4. Appreciate Shelter
A fourth lesson from a rainy autumn day is to appreciate shelter. During the summer months in the south, we have a lot of thunderstorms. I personally love thunderstorms, but my sister doesn’t. She is really afraid of storms as the thunder and lightning scare her. During these times of immense fear, she has mentioned being thankful for having shelter. Sadly, not everyone has shelter during storms. There are many homeless people who do not have a roof over their heads when the storm comes and they are left out in the elements.
During thunderstorms or even rainstorms, you can be thankful for the shelter that is above your head. Whether you live in a house, an apartment, or are just driving in your car, you can appreciate shelter from the storm. Getting caught out in a small downpour isn’t too distressing, but if you get caught out in a thunderstorm, for many people, it can be a nightmare. If you are a person who enjoys storms or not, you can still be thankful for the shelter of your home.
5. Praise God for His Goodness
A fifth lesson from a rainy autumn day is to praise God for His goodness. Back during the days of the Old Testament, rains were seen as a blessing from God (Deuteronomy 28:12-14; Joel 2:23). Since He is the Giver of all good things, He is the One who provides us with rain (James 1:17). Without rain, there would not be proper growth of produce. Nothing can grow without rain, and this is why the people in the Old Testament were very thankful for the rain. In the modern day, many people see it as an annoyance or a bother.
We need to reframe our thinking because rain is a blessing from God. Crops and plants cannot grow without proper rainfall. If you are someone who gets short-tempered or annoyed when the rain starts falling, try to challenge yourself to praise God for His goodness. When you are tempted to complain, instead, offer up a praise of thanksgiving for His goodness. Rain is a good thing, and it is vital to the environment.
If you are someone who loves rain, you can also praise God for His goodness. Tell Him how thankful you are for the rain and how it helps the plants grow. Even if you don’t rely on your own homegrown garden, you can still be thankful for the rain. Droughts are never seen as good things because they hinder growth. For many years, farmers might not produce a crop because of the drought. This is all the more reason to praise God for His goodness as displayed in the rain.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/ StephanieFrey
