“Oh, no! Looks like its raining,” Bob exclaimed, looking anxiously up at the sky one Saturday morning. “It surely does,” Dad agreed. “I think we’d better postpone our picnic until next week.”

Bob was most unhappy about the delay. As the raindrops began to fall, his eyebrows drew together in a frown. And when the rain poured down, he became downright grumpy. “My whole day is spoiled,” he complained over and over.

“Shhh. . .listen.” Bob’s sister Becky held up her finger. A clear, pure song came from a treetop outside. A robin was singing in the rain.

“Well, let the dumb bird sing. My day is ruined,” Bob grumped. He knew grumbling didn’t please God,but he was so disappointed.“Why don’t you get out one of your board games, Bob? We may as well have some fun in spite of the rain,” suggested Dad.

Bob grudgingly went to get a game, and soon he, Becky and Dad and Mom were all busy playing and laughing. The time flew by, and Bob forgot all about the rain spoiling his fun. Suddenly, Dad looked up at the clock. “Can you believe it’s nearly dinner time?” he asked.

“We’ll have a picnic right here on the floor,” decided Mother. “Becky and I will get the things ready, and you guys can clean up.”

When the food was brought in, they all sat on a blanket on the floor while they ate. “This is fun!” declared Bob. “I have so much fun the whole day that I forgot about the rain. I’ve been thinking-that robin had the right idea about singing in the rain. My grumbling didn’t stop the rain from coming, and I had as much fun as if I had gone on a picnic-well, almost, anyway. I’m sorry I grumbled.”

Dad put his arm around Bob. “That’s right!” he approved. “That robin was a good example for all of us. There’s always cause to sing-even when it rains.”

Thought: Do you grumble when it “rains” in your life-when things don’t go your way?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me that there are plenty of reasons to be happy and sing in spite of disappointments. You have already given me so much – so please help me not to murmur. And this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.