I am typing while listening to a worship song that Michael W. Smith came out with years ago.  Rain drops dance intricately with one another on my window panes, creating patterns that will never be duplicated by the next storm.
Let it Rain.  Take a listen. 

I, as most of my friends and family know, have such a fondness of rainy weather, that I am almost disheartened when the sun reappears. I am sure that is not how I would feel if I were Noah, nor probably how I would feel if I were still living in North Texas right now.  I am pretty sure the people there are as clean as they are going to get.  Rain has such power in the lives of all creatures and crops.  It is cleansing, quenching, and brings a sense of renewal to our cities, especially when there are long periods of dryness.  For me, this song produces those same benefits to my soul. I feel cleansed by Christ, quenched by His mercy and goodness, forgiven and renewed. 

But, rain can be harsh and violent, too- much like our tongues and actions.   God used rain to wipe away nearly all mankind because it was so riddled with sin. Hurricanes destroy and flood. Katrina was the worst of its kind. It was devastating. It was disastrous. 

We, as people, can bring a renewal to others, yet if not very careful, we can wreak havoc on another’s day or even their lives. Our words are extremely influential. When gentle and genuine, they have the deftness to bring such ethicality into this broken world. When spewed and indignant, words may destroy mankind’s ability to trust, to have and display compassion, simply because of who speaks them. 

I plague myself with worry, at times, trying to remember this while mothering and in day-to-day life. I am a miserable failure some days. But, I know that when I start my day with God’s word, He reminds me to be temperate and disciplined, even when my tongue doesn’t want to comply. I want to raise empathetic, compassionate children who have love that abounds from their hearts and tongues into others’ lives. I implore their actions to be gentle, peaceful, and purposeful. I want their rain to yield fruits of the spirit and to embolden others’ lives.  I never want their words to harm or flood others with doubt or tribulation. There is too much hurt on every web page and newsfeed in the world already. 

We have the capacity to rain mercy, goodness, optimism, help, encouragement, kindness onto this world.  Christ assures us this. With Him, great things are possible.