#19. Dance In The Rain.
19. Dance in the rain.
I made a list of 37 experiences that I would like to have from May 2020 to May 2021 to celebrate my 37th year of life. Some will not be fully accomplished until May of 2021, because they are year-long experiences. I am slowly chipping away at the list. A priceless memory was created this past Saturday.
Saturday morning was beautiful. The sun was shining. Birds were chirping. And Bible Study Mama called me four times on her way to my house to keep me informed of her every move. Why was she coming to get me? A moving crew was needed to help my cousin move. We lifted. We arranged. We fit furniture into the U-Haul like a life-sized Tetris game. All was well.
We arrived at the new place and began the process of unloading. Things were clicking along at a good pace. On one of my trips to the U-Haul, I noticed that the clouds above the trees seemed to be rather dark. We were almost finished, so I picked up the pace just the tiniest bit. Okay, I’m lying. I didn’t move any faster. At this point, I was just doing the best that I could.
The couch would not fit in the front door. The fellas were at an impasse. I ran to get my handy dandy power tool to unscrew the legs of the couch. As I was attempting to remove the legs of the couch, rain began to fall. I did not let the rain deter me…well at least not at first. The rain wasn’t that heavy. Steady…but not too bad. Then, the skies really opened up. Everyone screamed for me to abort my mission.
While we stood in the carport looking heavy rain, I remembered number 19 on my list. We couldn’t do any more moving at this point. I was already rather wet. Why not knock a number off my list? Nobody told me I was a weirdo (although I know I am to some folks). Actually, some of them thought it was a grand idea. They joined in on the fun. I wasn’t alone.
We took our socks and shoes off and danced in the rain. Well, it was more like shuffling and twirling with mouth beat boxing for music. On the smoother side of the driveway. Because my feet are tough, but not as tough as I thought they were. I had not played in the rain since I was a kid. Grown woman with natural hair dancing in the rain versus kid dancing in the rain was different. The number one difference was that I think I’m heavy handed on the products for my hair. I tasted all the greases and oils that I’ve slathered on. I was due for a washing, so nature moved my wash day up in priority. I laughed. I got much cooler. It was a perfect break from a long day’s work.
If I had not made my 37 for 37 list, I don’t know if my mind would have thought to dance in the rain this past Saturday. I probably would have just laid on the floor and caught my breath. And I would have missed out on a moment that I can look back on fondly for many years to come. I have reached a point in my life that I do not just see God in the scriptures or just on Sunday mornings. He does not just exist for me during Sunday School or during discussions about my faith.
He exists for me in all my moments. Great and small. I need days like Saturday to balance out the days that do not turn out as well. God is up to something in my life. It is no coincidence that I danced in the rain on Saturday and on the very next day the sermon topic was “What Makes You Dance?” Find your reason to dance and then get to two-stepping. #wepreach
