I sat and watched the hard rainfall in the woods this morning. I am a rainy-day person. The heat of September has broken. The pleasant sound of rain hitting the earth or the roof is a peaceful melody. I do my best thinking in the rain. Many leaves were falling with the gentle coaxing of the drops on them. Rain enables me to reflect on the beauty of life and its simplicity. No rhetoric or ravings or righteous anger.

I listen with some interest when I hear ministers or Christians exclaim that they are the example of what Christ taught and if we do as they say we will be alright with the Man Upstairs. Sadly when I look into their eyes I see a bit of sadness at their incapibility to measure up to the doctrine that they swear is from the mouth of God who uses the human mouth of the minister to proclaim it.

Society has grown increasingly virulent violent and mean in response to those with whom they disagree. God’s love and concern for his creation is much like the gentle rain that falls on all of us. He does not seem to pick or choose who to be good to or who is worthy of understanding and patience. Let us face our humanity. We are all living off of the Grace Of God and we are unique creations.

Some of us are angry people. Our preset is to be red-faced and smoke coming out of our ears. We search for someone to blame for our anger. It must be the dreaded and detestable…them…that is the cause for our high blood pressure.

Rain affords the opportunity to reset and endeavor to understand that each of us humans has a burden to bear. We are each a bundle of fears and doubts and questions. When no one seems to care we say that we do not need anyone. When in reality we are as the author G.K. Chesterton said, ‘We are all in a boat on a stormy sea, and we owe each other a terrible loyalty.’