Blame it on the Rain

Today we were leaving the grocery store and it was pouring down outside...like sheets of rain pouring down. Several people were huddled around the exit of the store waiting for the rain to let up before they made their way to their cars. I thought about waiting around with them, but then decided to eat my own words that I tell my kids all the time and I said, 'a little rain never hurt nobody.' 

Some people looked at me appalled that I would take my kids out into the pouring rain. Others laughed, surely thinking that I was out of my mind. And for the first time, in a long time - I didn't care.

"Buckle up kiddos, it's going down!" I shouted. Sarah (my 15 year old step daughter) gave an eye roll, and put her hoodie on. She's been around me long enough (8 1/2 yrs) to know that I was dead serious. They all started giggling and Caleb whipped out his umbrella (I promise, that kid is always prepared) and as we started to take off Caleb yelled at the top of his lungs...

"Oh, Lord Jesus help us - but hey, YOLO!"  I could hear a faint echo of laughter as we took off running.

We were laughing and getting soaked. We threw the groceries in the trunk, I even ran the cart back to the place it goes and we jumped in the car. We were soaking wet.  Liana and Caleb both said that was the most fun thing we had done in a while. 

We could have done what everyone else was doing.
We could have waited at the exit door for the rain to let up.
We could have been worried about getting wet and being a little uncomfortable on our way home.

But, we would have missed the adventure.
We would have missed the fun.
And we would probably STILL be standing at the exit door.

I can't get Caleb's last words out of my head as we were taking off. 'Oh, Lord Jesus help us - but hey, YOLO (You Only Live Once).  Ain't that the truth?  Lord Jesus, help us - we only live once.

There has been a consistent message in the content of several things I have been listening to, attending or reading for the past couple of weeks. The best summary of the messages combined is this:

We are all going to die in this world eventually (physically speaking). Until then, we live - but how many of us are really living? And not just going through the motions of our lives, but living life in the fullness of Christ?  And to take it a step further - how is that evidenced in your every day life or in your Christian walk?  And even more, what are we missing out on by not living life to the full?

I have been pondering this thought for the past weeks, but it took me having to run through the rain with my kids for the Lord to really drive this point home.

How many times have I been more compelled to stand around and wait for circumstances to change for me to move?

How many times have I just gone along with what the crowd was doing?

How many times have I been worried about what will happen to me if I run out into undesirable circumstances or if I am uncomfortable for a while?

And how many times have I missed out on the fun and the adventure of something from not stepping out in faith?

The answer is, probably one time too many.

How about  you?