It rained last night.
Oh, I know that might not seem unusual to those of you in more eastern climes where summer rain falls often. But to us in drought-parched southern California, where rain on a warm June night is near unheard of even in good years, this moisture came a sweetly blessed gift.
We went out in it, the four of us, my parents and sister and I, into our darkened patio, lifting our hands and faces to the warmth of rare humidity, the heavy drops splatting gentle onto our skin and dampening our clothes, breathing in the fresh-scented air. Laughing with thankfulness for rain in a dry land, even if it didn’t last very long.
It reminded me of a few weeks ago, when my sister and I were in Maryland. Our friend Sandra and her family laughed when we jumped in our seats at a sudden crack of thunder over dinner one evening, so long had it been since we’d heard the sound near. And then came the sheets of pattering rain. After the meal, we stepped out on the porch to listen to it. Our friends soon went back inside, but my sister and I stayed. And soon we were out in it, laughing and dancing through the rain, like the children and Sarah in the movie Skylark when they, similarly, visit Maine from drought-scorched Kansas.
Summer rain. Such a simple thing…such a blessed one.
And it’s made me think, last night, of all I have to be thankful for, that I am often too busy to remember. Of how I need more often to be quiet, and give thanks…
…For a cricket-chimed evening of warmth and lingering wet.
…For the taste of coconut ice cream in a spoon, cold and creamy and spiced with vanilla, making me dig back in for just one more bite.
…For the man I love and the feel of his strong arm around my shoulders.
…For good books like My Hope is Found and Saving Amelie (which we’re discussing on Transformational Fiction this month, by the way—feel free to join us). Is there any pleasure quite like a beautifully written story?
…For sweet times with my sister home from college, giggling and talking in our four-poster beds upstairs.
…For God’s grace when I fail over and over again, and the grace He shows me through His people.
…For the feel of cool grass under bare feet—I do love summer’s permission to go without shoes.
…For the pink and white decal over my desk, reminding me to “Be still, and know that I am God.”
In a similar vein, my friend and fellow writer Amanda Dykes has inspired me with her vision for a “simple summer” this year…I think you’ll be blessed and touched by her beautiful words here too. And she even has a giveaway to help keep the inspiration for a less-harried, more-savored summer alive! Click here to read more about #SimpleSummer.
Kiersti, what a beautiful tribute to the simple pleasures of summer… and life. Thank you for reminding me to do the same.
Thank you, Marilyn! I certainly needed the reminder myself. 🙂 Hope you are finding some simple pleasures amid your busy summer right now!
Kiersti, your beautiful words were as refreshing as the rain! Thank you for sharing them with us– so inspiring.
Aw, thank you, Amanda! What a treat to see your sweet face here. And you inspire me, dear friend…I’m pretty sure your “Simple Summer” influenced this post, consciously or unconsciously. Actually, maybe I’ll go add a link to yours! Bless you. 🙂
There, done. 🙂
Kiersti, you are beyond gracious and generous. I know your post is purely sprung from your own heart, but that was so gracious of you to say! I think we’re just kindred spirits. 🙂 Further proven by the fact that I was planning on (and most certainly will be) sharing your post today on social media. It touched my heart so much!
🙂