Why Does it rain, Grandma?

When I was younger I was told that when it rains it means that God is sad and the rain is his tears reaching the earth. So it didn't shock me when God was crying during my great grandmother's funeral. He cried with my grandmother and as her tears fell and my father comforted her I could feel the rain around me. Internally, I understood that God felt what my grandmother felt.

It all made sense.

Until my grandfather died and there was no rain. I asked my grandmother, "Why isn't God crying for grandpa?" she stepped closer to me, kneeled down, and leaned in just inches away from my face. Then she whispered, "I don't know. Maybe he wasn't as good of a person as we thought."

I responded, "That's not fair. God is supposed to love us all equally and unconditionally. He can't just pick and choose who to make it rain for."

" It's fine dear, God works in mysterious ways.

"No, that's not fair, Grandma. Grandpa died for nothing."

She looked blankly at me. Confused and startled. "No, grandpa died in an accident in the backyard. Accidents happen. God could be angry. Which is why it's so hot."

"No! It was hot when I pushed Grandpa off the ladder, it was supposed to rain! But now I know God only cries for good people. Are you a good person, Grandma?"