Essie Mae Brooks from Perry, Georgia has been singing and writing gospel songs since she was a girl. So, she’s kind of an expert. Her songs are meditations on getting through hard times, facing mortality, and living in the moment. She has raised 5 children and is blessed with many grandchildren. Often, Essie calls in to Music Maker just to say “hi” and see how things are going. She openly prays for the well-being of those she cares for and often-times is deeply preoccupied with the suffering of others, especially children.

I called Essie Mae the other day and asked her to share a blessing for the world with me that I could share it with the Music Maker community.  She shared with me the words of her song “You Got To Have Some Rain in Your Life”:

You got to have rain in your life
You got to have some rain in your life
You got to have rain in all your life
To appreciate the sunshine

This old life of mine
Sure had my share of up and down
I’ve been up and I’ve been down
I’ve been pushed and shoved around
I’ve been picked out picked on
But that’s alright

You got to have rain in your life
You got to have some rain in your life
You got to have rain in all your life
To appreciate the sunshine

When I lost my mother
You know that was sure enough rain
When I lost my father
You know that was sure enough rain
And when I lost my sister
You know that was more rain

You got to have rain in your life
You got to have some rain in your life
You got to have rain in all your life
To appreciate the sunshine

Lord when trouble get all around
that ain’t nothin’ but rain
Lord when trouble get all in the way
That ain’t nothing but rain
Lord when trouble get all in the home
That ain’t nothing but more rain

You got to have rain in your life
You got to have some rain in your life
You got to have rain in all your life
To appreciate the sunshine

If you never had no rain in your life
Then you don’t know what I’m singing about
If you never had no rain in your life
Then you don’t know what I’m singing about

You got to have rain in your life
You got to have some rain in your life
You got to have rain in all your life
To appreciate the sunshine