As is typical in the midwest in the Spring, it is rainy today, as it was yesterday too. Our area is really beautiful right now when it’s sunny — our yards are green and our tulips are coming out — so many people would say, “Rain, rain, go away…”So I was really fascinated to read that in Jewish thought, rain is a great blessing. Of course in Israel, where for six months no rain falls at all, a person appreciates it more. Here is a good article, Rain in Jewish Tradition. One quote it shares is, “The sending of rain is an event greater than the giving of the Torah. The Torah was a joy for Israel only, but rain gives joy to the whole world, including birds and animals, as it is said: ‘You take care of the earth and irrigate it.’ (Psalm 65:10)”
I enjoyed the comment that the rabbi made that a rainy day is a good day for prayer – God is in a good mood to give out gifts, so you might as well bring your requests then too!
This simple change in attitude has actually made a big difference in my daily mood. I used to use the weather as a chronic source of complaint, whenever it didn’t perfectly suit me. I realized that what I had been doing is saying in effect, “God wasn’t faithful today – he didn’t show up to please me!” Besides accusing God, it also made me feel like God was distant and unconcerned about my life. My complaining colored the whole day, and I was missing the fact that God was actually giving me a great gift in the form of rain.
Jesus also knew that rain was a good thing. He even points out that it teaches us that we should love our enemies. He says, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mt 5:44-45) People probably read the rain God sends as a bad thing, but Jesus meant that God gives good gifts to all humanity, sinners included.
Life at the Wellspring 