pluviophile

Funny thing is that I don’t enjoy getting wet from walking, standing or sitting in the rain, but I love hearing the patter on the roof of the building I am in, cozy and dry when it is pouring down outside. Rainy days were for playing games at the kitchen table or staying under the covers for a little longer in the morning. It was for warming the kitchen and filling the room with scents of roasted chicken or cinammon from apple crisp. It was the day to sit by a fire, curl up with a good book or simply to sit and watch the drops slide down the window glass.

Rain can also trigger bad memories of river floods and down dreary days of no sunshine, but God sends rain to nurture the grass, the plants, the trees. Springtime delivers plenty of showers to bring May flowers. Children get to splash in puddles in their rubber boots. Robins bop in the grass devouring worms and taking them to feed their young. Dry ground soaks up the moisture in the soil and even cacti collect rain for dry days. Our mother loved the rain.

A pluviophile is a lover of rain. These are people who find joy and peace of mind during rainy days. Some people grab an umbrella and enjoy a walk. Rainy days are great days for contemplating life. Quiet times during rainy, dreary days can lead to pensive thoughts. Creativity can flow. What mindset do you find yourself on a rainy day?

In the bible, 1 Kings 18 v. 41-46 tells the story of Elijah the prophet praying for rain.

Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.  Then he said to his servant,

“Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.  Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”

And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel. Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.

Sometimes, our rainy days can get us down, but like Elijah, we have to claim God’s promises. Elijah had faith that God would bring the rain and that’s why he continued to pray. We too can pray for specific situations or people in our lives and claim HIs promises when we pray to find that joy and peace. God will answer - even on rainy days.

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:12