Taekwondo

Gabe has been taking Taekwondo lessons for about a month. He'd been wanting us to let him learn to fight in some way (karate, kick-boxing, taekwondo, kung fu, etc.), so when a friend of ours recommended the taekwondo gym in our neighborhood, we decided to let him try it out. It's actually a pretty good class for him. The teachers are local Christians and it's been a good way for Gabe to understand what strength is for.

The other day I was sitting around at the Taekwondo gym during Gabe's lesson. I was feeling hot and lethargic and wishing I could be somewhere else. The TKD gym is on the top floor of a three story building so it can get pretty hot and this was a humid day. I went over to the balcony to get a breath of air and was refreshed by the view. To my left a water buffalo and its calf meandered through the newly green rice fields and to my right was the lovely view of the mountain that dominates Chiang Mai. Just the green of the landscape made me feel cool and peaceful. A moment later a cool wind announced the coming of rain. Within a minute a soft, breezy rain was falling on our neighborhood and I was feeling so grateful for mist on my skin, the fresh smell of rain on rice fields, the rhythm of the rain on the roof and the cool air blowing through the gym.

Since moving to a hot tropical country we have gained a deeper understanding of rain as a great blessing, but it's not just a physical blessing; it's also a blessing for the soul. We're in the middle of a season of hard physical work (moving, finishing the school year) and emotional good-byes, but my spirit felt revived just by a beautiful view and a cool rain. I'm so thankful to God that he has provided so many ways for our soul to be comforted and renewed.