I remember the simple song I heard, and occasionally sang, when I was a child: “Rain, rain, go away, come again another day…”

We don’t hear that song so much anymore — at least not here in California. We’ve been in desperate need of rain for several years now. Local reservoirs dropped to alarmingly low levels. Water conservation became a top priority up and down the state. Church communities, as well as individual persons of faith, have been praying for rain for several years. It seems that their prayers have been answered.

As of this morning, the City of San Francisco has received 154% of its average rainfall to date. San José isn’t far behind at 121%. And the local weather report this morning called for more “atmospheric rivers” to arrive both this week and next!

I thoroughly enjoy experiencing the rain… from inside. Whether I’m at home, in my car, or sitting in a local coffee shop with a cinnamon roll and hot chocolate, a good rain storm nourishes my soul. So rain is good, right? Well,… that depends.

A friend of mine lives in the hills above Redwood City, which is located about halfway between San José and San Francisco. Recent rains have caused significant damage to his home. Two downstairs offices, a bathroom, a supply room, and parts of his garage were seriously flooded this past weekend. With more rain predicted for this week and next, things may even get worse. 

Due to the fact that similar flooding has affected many others in his neighborhood, my friend has had a difficult time finding a water damage company that isn’t already overloaded with calls. Fortunately, my friend has an amazingly positive outlook on life. His response to this crisis? “Life happens.”

Whether any particular experience is a blessing or a curse depends upon our mindset. A Jewish folktale illustrates this point. It tells the story of an old man and his strong son, on whom he relied heavily for the workload on his farm. One day, while attempting to break in a new horse, the young man was thrown from the animal. His leg shattered in two places. Neighbors came by to comfort the young man and his elderly father. “Perhaps it is a blessing, perhaps it is a curse,” the old man told them. “Only time will tell.”

Not long after the accident, a group of soldiers came into the town to conscript all the young men for military service. Because of his serious leg injury, the young man was not taken. None of the other young men returned alive from the war.