Rain

I was thinking of that product you can put on your car windshield that coats it so when you are in a heavy rain, it doesn't streak and remains clear. 

Rain-X, I believe it's called. It's similar to turtle wax, in that it provides an invisible barrier on the surface as a protectant, allowing water and other irritants to slide right off, making sure not to harm the body of the vehicle. 

I think I've been walking around coated in Rain-X for quite some time, looking the same, though protecting myself from "the elements". 

I think we all wear a little wax or Rain-X from time to time. Otherwise, our bodies could be subject to all that fresh salt being dumped out there. All that dirty slush carelessly spewed around. I'm making sure the droplets form, roll, and stream away, without gathering to pool and cause any bodily harm. 

Someone asked me if I felt differently about my relationship with God in light of all the chaos in my family lately. In fact, this was a very important someone who asked me, and I was careful to answer. I was honest, because it's never any good to lie about such things. 

"I do feel differently. I still believe, but I'm feeling not as close as I was before. Not that I won't be again, but like a parent who just made a decision I don't like, this child needs some space to think. I've never quite felt this distance before. It's like we are on opposite sides of the campground and I don't want to camp with you right now. Very strange."

She listened, and echoed, "me too."

I've heard all the verses, know all the stuff, but pain has it's own path. And right now, Rain-X. Because protecting the heart seems to be working better than trying to fix it these days.