One afternoon last week, Cato puppy and I headed to the mailbox. Freya dog loves to run in the woods but doesn’t enjoy walking on the road—perhaps the gravel hurts her paw pads. And these days, Heathcliff dog is too old and arthritic to make the trip. So, it was just Cato and me.
Sometimes I forget the umbrella or, rather than carry the extra weight, take a chance that storm clouds will pass or the rain will wait until we return home. Sometimes the gamble pays off. Sometimes we get a little wet.
My neighbors question my sanity, as if I don’t have enough sense to come in out of the rain. But walking in gentle rains and foggy mists makes good sense to me. While Cato watches for squirrels and deer, I open myself to the sound of raindrops, the loamy scent of the forest, the sight of vegetation glistening wet, and the cool moisture caressing my cheek.
How like our Heavenly Father to shower us with the beauty of His creation.
Yesterday was Father’s Day. The 21st of June is also our son Alex’s birthday, the first day of summer, and the anniversary of my father’s death. As I sat in church yesterday morning, looking at the Happy Father’s Day graphic on the screen and listening to Pastor’s message, I thought about these four landmarks in life: a father celebrating the birth of his son, a father’s death, our Father’s creation of the summer solstice, this year falling on the day we celebrate fathers.
Some of us have close relationships with our earthly fathers, Pastor said. He certainly does with his. But some of us have difficult relationships or grow up without fathers. I thought about what Leslie Leyland Fields wrote about her “worthless” father—not her word for him but what he called himself. If you have a few minutes, click the link below (or copy/paste the link into your browser) and listen to her voiced recording on Our American Stories: http://www.ouramericannetwork.org/story?title=Forgiving-My-Worthless-Father-Father-s-Day&fbclid=IwAR1wzGVfYtCAsrV_GcnEqhGt73vPTr8VULWrnNp0sCQ7d69XKumNay76jCA
It’s a beautiful reflection about how love can change our hearts.
How like our Heavenly Father to shower us with His grace.
Before leaving for the mailbox, I always tell Keith where I’m going. If it’s raining or threatening, I add, “Come get us if there’s a downpour.” I know he’ll jump in the car and rescue us if need be.
Keith is not the Father or my father, and I cannot control the rain. But by opening our hearts, we can receive God’s love. And, regardless of how challenging the circumstances might have been or might yet be, we can forgive.
How like our Heavenly Father to shower us with His mercy.
Precious. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing from your heart once again. There’s sure a lot wrapped up in June 21st for you.
Your post today reminded me how much I used to love walking in the rain. It was a place of refreshing solitude. I also remember my own father encouraging me when I shied away from getting rained upon with his, “You’re not sugar; you won’t melt!” Ha! It seems that in the years I was taking care of my mom (and to a lesser degree, my dad, in the years prior), I let my regular rain-or-shine walking habit slide. According to the weather report, we have several rainy days ahead. Time to get back into that soul-refreshing, body-invigorating, sunshine or rainy day walk.
Thank you for your comment. Since the death of my mother this past winter, I have found healing in my rainy-day walks. May you too find peace.
Glad to have found your faith-filled blog!
Thank you—a work in progress. I wish you God’s Peace. -C.D.
What a story! Wow. Thank you for sharing this incredible story of love and forgiveness. Very powerful.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Leslie’s story, Dorothy. And I’m so happy to be reading your poetry again! Thank you!
-C.D.
Thank you Carol. Always a pleasure to have you drop in when I decide to share. 😊
Amen for the blessings our Heavenly Father brings us each precious day. I look forward to a foggy morning walk at one of the nature parks nearby. Perhaps the Lord will bless me in the fall.