What an insistent and grievous part the proverbial "rainy day" has played in the lives of mankind. Anticipation of this day of clouds and darkness often shadows an otherwise sunny present; and the statement frequently made to children that "we must save for a rainy day," has sadly restricted immediate hopes and happy plans, besides forming the basis of a false education, tending to handicap them through the years. One day, in the midst of a particularly heavy downpour, a mother from whose lips this phrase was often heard, was asked by her little girl, "Is this the day you have been saving for?" The child doubtless believed that as a result of the saving some joyousness might be indulged in that would lighten the dulness of the rainy day now actually come upon them. Was this Mrs. Eddy's attitude of mind when she wrote, "He who dwelleth in eternal light is bigger than the shadow, and will guard and guide His own" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 134)?
Such a ponderous wall of narrowing laws, beliefs, and superstitions has been built up around our human living, that it is no wonder we often feel hemmed in on all sides, and send forth a longing cry for freedom; yet the ones within these walls have now, and always have had, God-given dominion. It is not that we should be wasteful or spend recklessly, lest we involve others as well as ourselves in a slough of indebtedness; but, reasoning from a spiritual basis, we should confidently feel that our actual needs will be supplied, at the same time looking well to the quality of these same needs. We need first of all to know God, and then man in His image, and right there is completeness and abundance: first in consciousness, and then outwardly expressed as the result of a true conception of completeness. This is the only correct reasoning or foundation for gain of any kind; it is eternally true and never fails.
Jesus taught that "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," and surely we may declare that sufficient unto the day is also the rain thereof. If the rain comes, we shall certainly be sheltered from it if we seek its lesson; and if perchance we have to face it for a time, the days of glorious sunshine in memory's storehouse will serve to keep us warm and happy in spite of and in the midst of passing shadows; for pass they must and will. We all love the patient philosophy of Abraham Lincoln, who in the midst of most grievous situations would habitually say, "This too will pass." Why not reform the old adage, and save for sunny days? They are bound to come, especially if we confidently look for them, knowing too that even rainy days are but preparation for the radiant brightness sure to follow.
