"Don't Rain on My Parade"

When this *idiom (see below for definition) first came in to common useage it initially impressed my mind as quite clever, slightly humorous and considerably enigmatic (puzzling).

Each time it was used in my presence, it produced the same mental effect - the question of "whose parade"? Probably the speaker's. As though his/her parade was most important - was more important than anyone else's parade. Hmmm.

The obvious villian here is the rain - at least from the viewpoint of the speaker's parade. The fact is that the rain could conceivably be of more benefit to many others because of greater needs than those of a short-lived - albeit very important - need of the "parader".

What impacts my mind is how thoughtlessly selfish it may be any time we want our plans to turn out favorably to the exclusion of how unfavorably they may affect anyone else's "parade". In fact, the greater good may accrue if it did rain on our parade!

The Bible has two, cogent comments - one from Jesus and the other from James' writings (the brother of Jesus). In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said that the "rain falls on the just and the unjust". In other words, generally and indiscriminately. (And then added that we will be like this if we are Christlike) With rare exceptions, God gave/gives the rain in an umbrella fashion, and all are equally benefited.

James counsels us (SEE James 4:15) to always submit all of our plans "to the will of the Lord, intending to do this or that, or go here or there". They must always fall under the umbrella of God's will. Nature's systems would be chaotic and disastrous if God answered every request for favorable weather.

The truth is that the same rain that dampens a parade also puts food on our tables. The winter storms that clog sidewalks, driveways, lanes, roads and freeways - and accordingly brings many sore backs and aching muscles - also graciously stores snowpacks for our world's watersheds.

SO...it could be a rather selfish request to ask for there not to be a rain on "our" parade. A question comes to any thinking mind, "Are we really wanting our parade to be sunny...and could care less if it is someone else's?"


* "Idiom": Redneck lingo for the feminine suffix of "ot".

Sarge

"Sarge" is not a military non-commissioned officer. He is our neighbor's black Labrador Retriever...an aged, overweight, friendly, loveable dog.

Sarge is everybody's friend. There is no one he does not like, and will respond to any overture of friendliness with a vigorously wagging tail. He rarely barks, never bothers anyone, doesn't get upset over community matters that sets off raucous howls from all other dogs within earshot.

Sarge pays little attention to other neighborhood dogs and remains aloof to their factious spats and quarrels. The young, black Lab next door nips, dances, growls, "attacks", jumps all around and over old Sarge, and he acts like he hardly notices the whipper-snapper. Sarge does not need to prove anything to anybody.

Then he has the unusual habit of slowly walking out to the middle of our neighbor's huge, quarter acre back yard and laying down in the snow, sleet, rain - seemingly the colder, the better. The dog loves to lie in the snow! much like many people love to bask in a sunny beach. It is as amusing as it is fascinating.

I admire Sarge and the qualities he unwittingly demonstrates to all who know him. He ignores the pettiness around him. He does not sweat the small stuff. He doesn't get easily upset. He rises above communal fussiness and criticism and squabbles. He lets others around him get all excited and in a senseless snit while he conserves his energy for the really big stuff!

"Lord, thank You for the big heart You have given to my friend, Sarge, and help me to lead and enjoy a more peaceful, contented attitude about the small stuff. Amen".