Early this morning, a friend challenged me to write a short story about my day. Each sentence in the story had to include a word that rhymed with a word in the previous sentence. I had 10 minutes to complete the challenge, so here it is. Since it started raining while I was taking my morning walk, I chose the word “rain,” and titled my story After the Rain.

Welcome “rain.” I appreciate your help to “rein” me into that quiet place in my office where it is more or less “sane” until I completely “drain” my “brain” of the story that is running through my “veins.” I will not “complain” about the “rain” while it waters my gardens as I “remain” inside and tend to an injury that I had to “explain” to my husband more than once. The conversation became “mundane” after several attempts to recreate the scenario.

Yesterday, while working in my new sunflower garden, I jumped off my tractor and injured my knee, which may have caused me to “obtain” a “strain.” However, I did “maintain” my composure as I hobbled to a bench to “obtain” a place to recuperate.

As I sat on the bench, I noticed the “romaine” lettuce has sprouted that I thought I planted in “vain” due to the hot August temperature. As a matter of fact, I planted a lot of greens as I “entertain” the thought of having fresh, tasteful greens during the hottest time of the year. I could not “refrain” myself from laughing at my “insane” endeavors when it comes to gardening.

While sitting on the bench, the sound of a honking horn got my attention, and I waved to my friend “Wayne” as he rambled down the road in his 1957 “Fairlane.” I wondered if the time my 85-year-old friend has invested in keeping his vehicle in pristine condition is what helps to “sustain” his mental and physical ability.

The whistle of a freight “train” in the distance and the sound of gentle raindrops on my tin roof bring me back to the moment, a sweet place where there is no need to “feign” contentment. The rain may “detain” me for a while; I am happy and contented as I sit at my desk while my dog is gently snoring on a rug at my feet.

That’s it. The end. No more words that rhyme.

And that, my friend, was a fun writing challenge. And it also served as a reminder to me to be content, whatever situation we are in. And that is a bigger challenge.

Now the sun is shining, and I took photos of raindrops on a few plants and flowers in the gardens. Love rain, raindrops on flowers, and sunshine after the rain.

Note: This was originally written in 2020.

Reflective Questions To Ask Ourselves

• When life doesn’t go as planned, do we focus on the storm or the lesson it carries?

• How can we cultivate gratitude in the ordinary moments of our days?

• What practices help us “sustain” joy even when challenges remain?

Where Do We Go From Here

We take each day as a new page in our story, choosing contentment no matter the weather. We learn to pause, listen, and let life’s “rain” refresh us instead of drain us. From here, we can walk forward with gratitude, holding onto the truth that peace is not about perfect circumstances but about remaining anchored in God’s Word.

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons hidden in both rain and sunshine. Help us to live with hearts of contentment, to see beauty in the simple gifts around us, and to trust You in every season of life. Guide us to remain steady when challenges come, and to carry joy into each day as a reflection of Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Enjoy the song Sunshine or Rain by Luckson Seltun. A heartfelt song about recognizing God’s goodness in sunshine or rain.