It was warm, dark, and a slightly rainy evening. Sitting at my computer with the window open I heard the sounds of the bustling city bellow my 12th story window. My stomach yearned for a snack of healthy organic freshness; Whole foods grocery store called to me like a lion in the middle of the African Savanna. I shut my laptop, grabbed my infamous Moody ID card, and headed downstairs.
As the doors opened and the soothing night air touched my bare skin, the freshness and beauty of the night overwhelmed me. I walked into the middle of the plaza as the rain began to come down in large droplets on my face. I looked up and raised my hands in my own personal worship session to the maker of the universe who I felt a divine connection with in that moment. After a brief moment of silence and praise, I moved forward. In my outfit not prepared for rain of such magnitude, I became soaked quickly. I smiled wider as every last warm drop of water hit my uncovered skin. Taxi’s honked, buses passed, but I deliberately stayed in the downpour.
Emotion enveloped me, prayers began to poor. Praise and past pain escaped my lips in jumbled words and phrases. Tears of joy and peace captivated my heart. I could feel Him as if he was standing physically in front of me, an encounter of extremes that I never experienced in such a way.
I entered Whole Foods, dripping from head to toe, ignoring the glaring looks of others as I passed through the produce section grabbing colorful fruits and veggies for my late night snack. Crossing the cash register, bidding goodnight to the sleepy looking checker, but not before making her giggle with a story of how sometimes you just have to play in the rain. I was anxious to enter the warm rainy night once again.
I exited the store and danced. I danced into the night of Chicago lights and sounds, a melody within my heart that had been put on full blasted which couldn’t be ignored.
Life should never become too structured for moments like dancing in the rain. Celebrations should be a daily occurrence. If you lose sight of the simple breath taking moments in life, you give into the negative, the bad, and the overwhelmingly painful. Take advantage of random moments of talking with strangers, random dancing, and midnight snacks. Sing in the car, on the freeway, with the windows down so that every passing car glares at you. Stop in a park and find that old man who paints and plead with him to share stories of yesterday. Volunteer at that children’s club down the street and learn about what pain means to them. Spend time in nursing home, and let an elderly woman change your life.
Share your love for Christ with people in the ways that he has revealed himself to you. A dancer doesn’t share the love of Christ the same way as a pastor, and a pastor doesn’t share the love of Christ the same way as a school teacher. A dancer dances for Christ and a pastor preaches for Christ. The action is different, but the love, the same. Sharing the love of Christ is a celebration, don’t get lost in the structure of everyday life.
Write your day in pencil, because pen is just too permanent.
