We woke up to rain today. Now, I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love rainy days. I love the hush that comes over the world outside, and my heart. It’s as if the sky is giving me permission to slow down, to rest.
I love watching the rain from the window, washing , refreshing, renewing. Dry things drink it in. Brown things blush green. The earth starts waking up, slowly, like me on a Saturday morning.
Rainy days help this Martha be a Mary.
When it rains, my home becomes a sanctuary. I turn on lamps. I light candles. I drink way too much coffee (and tea), and I bake or paint or read. And I rest.
“Come away with me to a quiet place and rest for a while.” Mark 6:31
And I listen to music that helps me slow down. Here’s my rainy day playlist (with youtube links. Sorry I couldn’t figure out how to make this into a spotify list!):
Jack Johnson- Banana Pancakes (because, of course!)
Audrey Assad- Restless, In the Middle, Come Thou Fount
Shane & Shane- Psalm 23
Lennon & Maisy Stella- We Got Love, A Life That’s Good, Rockin’ and Rollin‘, Big Yellow Taxi, Up and Up
CityAlight- The Goodness of Jesus, Yet Not I (but through Christ in me)
Maisy Stella & Will Chase- Have A Little Faith in Me
Matt Maher- Awake My Soul
All Sons & Daughters- Brokeness Aside, Great Are You Lord
Andrew Peterson- Always Good
Eva Cassidy- Songbird, Fields of Gold, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, True Colors, Early Morning Rain, Stormy Monday
Kasey Muskgraves- Rainbow
Really my only “rule” for adding a song to my playlist is that both the music and the lyrics have to make me feel calm and relaxed. Bonus points if it’s actually about rain ๐
I know, I shouldn’t need a rainy day to give myself permission to rest. But I’m working on it. I’m getting there. Baby steps, and all that.
For now, though, I’ll just enjoy these small moments on this rainy day and embrace it for what it has become for me. A much needed sabbath.
How do you like to spend a rainy day? What songs would be on your list? I’d love to hear in the comments!
Nicole says
Love it! But itโs not calm over here cause I canโt kick the kids outside… maybe your playlist will give them the hint to embrace some calm๐ค๐ผ
Jennifer says
AHHH! Yes, Nicole, I should have mentioned that it’s a slightly different approach when kids are home, lol. I’ve made the decision not to worry about how much screen time they have on rainy days. It’s usually a Netflix/movies day for them, so that it can be a more relaxed day for me! And yes, I have noticed that playing lazy music does help them settle down too (somewhat) lol.
Becky Hall says
All the warm blankets and candles today!
I didn’t know the Psalm 23 song you posted…lovely. Here’s my favourite Psalm 23 song in return. ๐
Jennifer says
I love it! Adding it to my list… ๐