NOVEMBER 19, Exodus 16:8

“Oh, no! Looks like it’s raining,” Bob exclaimed, looking anxiously up at the sky, one Saturday morning. “It is ,” 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 did not please God, but he was so disappointed.“Why don’t you get one of your board games, Bob? We can still have some fun, in spite of the rain,” suggested Dad.

Bob grudgingly went to get a game, and soon he, Becky, 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 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. “The whole day was so much fun 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 a cause to sing, even when it rains.”

Thought: Do you grumble when it “rains” in your life, when things do not 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. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.