Sometimes He Lets It Rain...and Pour

So I always think, and usually talk, through song lyrics and movie lines. My sister reminded me of this song last week and it's been replaying in my mind over and over--as songs usually do until I find a new song to obssess over.

"Sometimes He Lets It Rain"

She sees the storm clouds gather: the sky is turning cold and gray
She knows that something's coming when she starts to feel this way
She pleads for intervention but heaven offers no relief
But she would understand if she could only see

That sometimes He lets it rain
He lets the fierce winds blow
Sometimes it takes a storm to lead a heart where it can grow
He can move mountains of grief and oceans of pain
But sometimes He lets it rain

And when her heart surrenders to the master in control
Her spirit learns the lessons of the tempest in her soul
When it's no longer raging she can see how far she's come
Through the wisdom and the mercy of the Son

Sometimes He lets it rain
He lets the fierce winds blow
Sometimes it takes a storm to lead a heart where it can grow
He can move mountains of grief and oceans of pain
But sometimes He lets it rain

There is no joy without the pain
Sometimes He has to let it rain.


I cannot say that I myself have ever faced any grave adversity in my life. While my family and friends have had issues, my trials have been in how other people's adversity affects my own life. So when I think of the song, "Sometimes He Lets It Rain," all I can think of is how my friends and family are suffering through their storms. The empathatic feelings easily bring me to tears. My own storms are quiet, concealed and hidden. I can see the storms of my friends and family and yet I cannot prevent them. It is always out of my hands. I can only make choices for myself and I certainly cannot live someone else's life. My capacity is limited to whatever influence I can be. I am determined to be an influence for good--the kind of friend who is supportive and inspirational.

I've also been reflecting on my calling in the ward. I selfishly wanted one of the callings where you could do a little and get by. I was just called as the Ward Employment Specialist and I'm already finding that the little I've been trying to get by with is not even close to satisfying the needs of the ward. I received the following quote today and it helped me to see a new perspective on man's need for work and the severity of the unemployment problems. From President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“A man out of work is of special moment to the Church, because deprived of his inheritance, he is on trial as Job was on trial – for his integrity. As days lengthen into weeks, and even months of adversity, the hurt grows deeper and he is sorely tempted to ‘curse God and die’. Continued economic dependence breaks him. It humiliates him if he is strong. Spoils him if he is weak. Sensitive or calloused, despondent or indifferent, rebellious or resigned – either way he is threatened with spiritual ruin; for the dole is an evil and idleness a curse. He soon becomes a seedbed of discontent, wrong thinking, alien beliefs. The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the week it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul.”

If this man is of special moment to the Church, he is certainly of special moment to me. I need to be better and I know I can be. I have tried to find joy by helping myself and it never works. I need to serve others. We all need to serve each other and not ourselves. I am only part of the solution, but I can help to be the change that we need. Omg I just used an Obama slogan...the world might just be coming to an end.

beck