Dad’s Rainy-Day Delay

“When will Daddy get home?” Emily whined.

“We’re gonna be late for the movie,” said Jeremy.

“I don’t think we’ll be going to the movie tonight,” said Mom. “Dad just called and said the traffic is terrible because of all the rain.”

Emily sighed. “Too bad he couldn’t leave work early. He could have been home by now, and we could be on our way to the movies.” Emily stared out the window as the raindrops pelted the glass. “How come stuff like this happens all the time? It seems like I always have to wait for something.”

“It’s not that bad, Emily,” Mom remarked. “Sometimes a delay can be a good thing.”

“A delay? What’s that?” Emily sat down by her mother in a big, comfy chair.

“A delay is when something takes longer than you thought it would. Like tonight, Dad is delayed because of the rain and traffic. It’s taking him longer to get home.”

“But when is a delay a good thing?” asked Jeremy.

“Think about your Sunday school lesson last week. What kind of delay happened then?”

“It was about Lazarus,” said Emily. “He got sick and Mary and Martha sent a message for Jesus to come right away to heal him.”

“But he didn’t!” Jeremy exclaimed. “Was that the delay?”

“Right, Jeremy,” said Mom. “Jesus waited for a couple days. He delayed his trip to Bethany where Lazarus lived.”

“And he did it on purpose so he could raise him from the dead,” Emily added.

“Yes. He could have gone right away and healed Lazarus. But raising him from the dead was more amazing and glorified God even more—and it helped his disciples’ faith grow stronger.”

“So, Mary and Martha were waiting and watching for him, like we’re waiting and watching for Dad.”

“But they didn’t know the delay would actually make things better,” said Jeremy.

“And the same thing may happen for us, too,” Mom continued. “We may find out that having to wait will be a good thing. However it works out, we know God is in control. For now, let’s get dinner ready.” Emily went into the kitchen with her mom while Jeremy played his favorite video game.

Just as dinner was coming out of the oven, Emily’s dad walked through the door. “I’m home, guys! Mmmm. I smell something delicious!”

“Hi, Dad!” Jeremy paused his game and laid his game controller aside. “Whoa! You look wet!”

“You could say that.” Dad laughed as he shook his head like a wet dog.

“Oh, my!” said Mom as she walked into the room. “What did you do? Walk all the way home in the rain?! You’re drenched!”

Emily came rushing in from the kitchen, ready to give her dad her usual hello hug. But just as she was about to jump up and put her arms around his neck, she screeched to a halt! “Oooh, Daddy! You’re so wet and soggy.”

Dad held his arms out toward Emily and teased her. “Aww, come on and give me a hug, Sweetie.”

“No way!” Emily backed up, afraid she might end up soaking wet, too.

Dad laughed. He hung up his coat and hat then went to change into dry clothes. When he came into the dining room, dinner was ready. “So, how did you get so wet, Dear?” asked Mom.

“Well,” Dad began, “first, the bus to the parking lot was delayed, so we all stood around waiting. And that’s when the storm hit. The rain poured so hard it leaked right through my umbrella! Then when we got to the parking lot, I stepped off the bus right into—”

“A puddle?” Emily chimed in.

“Yes. But not just a teeny puddle, oh no! This was an enormous lake! Sploosh! Right off the bus into the huge puddle.”

“So that’s how your shoes and socks got wet?” asked Mom.

“Yup. They were soaked and made squishy-squashy noises all the way to the car.”

Emily and Jeremy laughed at the goofy face Dad made. “Well, I’m glad you’re all dry now,” said Mom.

“I was thinking on the way home,” said Dad, “that we might go out for ice cream since we didn’t make it to the movie.”

“Yeah!” shouted Jeremy.

“Okay!” Emily agreed.

The family cleared the table and grabbed their coats. Then they all got into the car and drove down the street toward their favorite ice cream shop. The rain had let up a bit but still sprinkled the car windows. As they drove over a bridge, Emily looked down onto the street below. “Wow! Look at that.”

Jeremy leaned over to see out the window. “It’s totally flooded down there!”

“Yeah, there are cars everywhere. And that one’s stuck.” Emily pointed.

“Yep,” said Dad. “And you know what? It was like that when I passed it coming home, too.”

“Isn’t that the street we take to go to the movies?” Mom asked.

“Yes, it is,” Dad replied.

“I’m sure glad we didn’t get caught in that mess. We wouldn’t have made it to the movies anyway!” Emily exclaimed.

Jeremy peered down into the flooded street then nodded. “Yep!” He agreed. “I’d say Dad’s delay was a good thing. We can still go to the movie another night.”

“And that means,” Emily said happily, “we get ice cream and a movie this week!”

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