“A drop of rain maketh a hole in the stone, not by violence, but by oft falling.”

– Hugh Latimer

Last evening my sweetheart and I spent some time at our son’s house, helping to set up canopies and umbrellas in the backyard.  Our granddaughter’s fourth birthday party is today, and showers are in the forecast.  We fervently hope that placing protective devices all around will chase the raindrops away; but however the weather turns out, we will be prepared to stay dry and have some fun.  During our work time, three little girlies pilfered tools, tried to help, and generally ran through the  yard, fueled by the sort of excitement generated by all the signs of the coming party.  Their other grandma was in charge of the girls while both their mothers worked, and the oldest cousin kept asking her grandmother for things that simply could not happen during such a busy time.  ”Can we get wet in the puddle?”  ”No, not now.”  ”Please….”  ”No.”  ”PLEASE!!!”  ”No.”  ”PLEEEAAASSSSEEEE!” I am sure that any parent in the group recognizes this scenario.  How many of us have invested tons of energy in teaching our young children that whining will get them nowhere, that “no means no,” that it is not polite to keep asking again and again?

Now I pause for a moment and try to think of this scenario from the child’s point of view.  I ask myself how long it has been since the idea of splashing in a puddle was exciting enough that I would risk getting into trouble for asking a sixth or seventh time.  It is good to learn that the loudest and whiniest voice does not necessarily win the argument, but I am not so sure that we want to destroy the passion behind it.  Rather, we might want to grow this sort of persistence and teach an appropriate way to express it to others.  ”Can we get wet in the puddle?”  ”No, not now.”  ”Please…”  ”I can see that you really love the idea of splashing in a puddle!”  ”Yes, I do.”  ”Well, now is not a good time for splashing.  We are working here.”  ”Please!!!”  ”You really do want to get wet, don’t you? I can’t say yes today, but will you ask me again when the party is over?”  ”Yes.  Will you say yes later?”  ”Maybe.”

It is a good thing to learn how to be the drop of water landing on the stone.  It is a good thing to learn that the drop does not need to be shot from a pressure hose at an alarming rate of speed in order to do its job.  Puddle jumping can be fun — just ask any six-year-old — but it is important to develop a sense of timing when negotiating with others.  It is important to cultivate patience when we are asking others to come around to our way of thinking.  If we express ourselves in quiet and non-violent ways, even the hardest stone can soon be transformed by our persistent effort.  Suppose we brought the same passion and enthusiasm to being love and to expressing kindness that we once felt on a warm evening when we really wanted to jump in a puddle?  If we use our persistence in bringing important things to everyone we meet, we can bring transformation to our world.  Even the toughest stone soon gives way to the persistent and gentle touch of a drop of rain — if it falls often enough.