“Rain, Rain; Go Away”

There’s a nursery rhyme that many say when it is rainy day; “Rain, rain; go away!” Is it simply about the rain going away or is it about something totally different? The origin dates back to Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603), during this period there was constant rivalry between Spain and England thereby the launch of the Spanish Armada in 1588. The Armada was led by Duke of Medina Sedonia and the fleet numbered over 130 ships. The English fleet, under Admiral Lord Howard, totalled 34 small Navy vessels and 163 armed merchant ships. The great Spanish Armada was defeated; only 65 Spanish galleons and 10,000 men returned to Spain. Thus the nursery rhyme was sung by children throughout England as a celebration of overcoming and also some cheeky referencing to the Spanish empire’s weakness and English’s strength to overcome the mighty armies. It has never been about rain, but since then, people have used this rhyme as a happy chant for overcoming the daily battles they each face…and to keep the rain away?!?

In the recent 2014 General Conference, President Thomas S. Monson spoke of a once indestructible ship, the Bismarck. After sinking 37 English battle ships until a torpedo scored a lucky hit, the rudders were damaged and the great ship could only travel in circles, it could not reach a safe haven and was eventually sunk by the enemy ships. President Monson then directed:  “And so it is with man. The thrust of the turbines and the power of the propellers are useless without that sense of direction, that harnessing of the energy, that directing of the power provided by the rudder, hidden from view, relatively small in size but absolutely essential in function.” Without the guiding light of God’s commandments, we are lost without a cause, but he created us for better things. “Like the Bismarck, each of us is a miracle of engineering. Our creation, however, was not limited by human genius. Man can devise the most complex machines but cannot give them life or bestow upon them the powers of reason and judgment. These are divine gifts, bestowed only by God.”

The rage of the unseen enemy is unyielding and descends on us each day as we open our eyes…their work begin through lies like: “There is no way you can overcome the trials of this day. You will never overcome the mounting sadness that awaits you. Who are you to think that you can? It is absolutely useless to resist…so live among the world, you’ll be better off. Look, he is a sinner, but he drives an expensive car and lives in a big house.” Little by little, bit by bit, the bullets will come flying, until one day a torpedo will eventually score a lucky hit. Some will give up, but the majority will begin to wander in circles, aimlessly without a purpose and never reaching the safe haven of peace. President Monson gives the remedy: “As we walk the pathway of life, He provides a clear map and points the way toward our desired destination. He cautions: beware the detours, the pitfalls, the traps. We cannot be deceived by those who would lead us astray, those clever pied pipers of sin beckoning here or there. Instead, we pause to pray; we listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come, follow me.”

I love this nursery rhyme my mother use to sing to me when I felt sad or down “Incy Wincy spider climbed up the spout, Down came the rain and washed poor Incy out, Out came the sun and dried up all the rain, Now Incy Wincy spider went up the spout again!” Yes, it may seem insurmountable to overcome the daily struggles, challenges, tests and obstacles, but they are the stepping stones that solidify the foundation that builds us, constructs our physical, emotional and spiritual framework. The master’s voice beckons us to stand firm or as Lehi pleads: “O that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord.” “Rain, rain; go away” does not mean that we shoo the troubles away, but that we understand that the battles will come and we must buckle down, employ the Lord as our guide, protector and source of ultimate peace. We must live his commandments, laws, truths and principles, especially when times are at its darkest, when loads are heavy, when pressures begin to implode and hypocrisy run rampant throughout our world. His values and standards are the protective armours that cannot be broken! “…listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come…Follow Me.”

Love, love, love,

Spiritual References: Mathew 16:24, 19:21, Mark, 8:34, 10:21, Luke 9:23, 18:22, John 21:22, 1 Nephi 2:10, Mosiah 5:15, Helaman 5:12, 15:8, 3 Nephi 6:14, Ether 4:8, 12:4, D&C 31:9, 38:22, President Thomas S. Monson 2014 October GC Talk “Guided Safely Home”, Nursery Rhymes: “Rain, rain; go away”, “Incy Wincy Spider” Hymn 116 “Come Follow Me”