*Raqad* in the Rain

Original Hebrew Word: רָקַד

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: (Raqad)

Phonetic Spelling: (raw-kad’)

Definition: to skip about, as David before the ark

Philippians 4:4 TPT

Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow!

True Story

I was in my Sophomore year at a state college in “wild and wonderful” West Virginia. It was Saturday afternoon, April 17th, forty-two degrees, pouring down rain, and dark as night. Most students had gone home for the weekend, but I had chosen not to since I had two big tests coming up and I really needed to study. I was alone. I had been studying for some time and I was tired. Listening to music wouldn’t help. I figured that would just put me to sleep. And, of course, probably due to the storm, the cable was out. So, what to do? Alone.

The thought came to me, I could take a walk. That was a completely insane idea. I glanced out the window and couldn’t even see the dormitory on the other side of the street because of the rain. Oh, for goodness sake! Why not? I had to do something, right?

A Walk in the Rain 

So I put on my warmest socks, two pairs of sweatpants, a long-sleeved shirt, a hoodie, and boots. I grabbed my umbrella and headed through the silent, dimly-lit  lobby and out the door. 

On the outside, it took approximately twenty seconds for me to be soaked to the skin. The umbrella didn’t help because the rain was falling sideways. Something about that struck me as really funny, and I laughed out loud. Definitely committed to my walk by then, I went squish-squishing in my boots between the red brick buildings and into the deserted quadrangle with my umbrella carelessly resting on my shoulder and rain dripping from the end of my nose, feeling very much like a female version of Gene Kelly–except I wasn’t singing.

Then I paused. In front of me was the biggest, greatest puddle I had ever seen.

Raqad in the Rain

Hmmmmmm … I looked to the left–nobody. I looked to the right–nobody. I glanced behind and then in front of me–nobody. Then, since I couldn’t contain myself any longer, I launched out with both boots into that marvelous puddle–stomping, splashing, grinning, gavotting with a heart of pure abandon!

Midstream, I heard something. My name? 

From the shelter of a building at the far end of the quad, someone was calling my name!

I walked over, embarrassed. It was a girl who lived on my floor. She was not a close acquaintance, but we had spoken. I asked the obvious question: “How in the world did you know it was me?”

Even a Child …

She responded with a smile, “You’re the only one I know who would be out here in a storm dancing in puddles.” Book of Proverbs: “Even a child is known by his doings.” Yep.

Silly, maybe, that it felt so good to just let go and celebrate a moment, to leave the solemn study desk and the stifling academics to be a child for a few minutes. Jesus enjoyed keeping company with children. I guess that means me. I intend to raqad, and “let my joy overflow” whenever I can!

God bless you! Be sure you make time for some raqad today.