From the drought of the past few years we have entered into a rainy spring and summer that is unparalleled in many parts of the country. Even here in Orangeburg, we have had tremendous downpours that have challenged the ground's ability to adequately soak in the liquid nourishment that must seem like a gift from heaven.

As I drive through Edisto Gardens occasionally, I can't help but notice the wider and higher flow of black water, running more swiftly as it has gained strength from the growing volume of headwaters that feed it. It's a welcome site after the famine of precipitation we have experienced.

Many days during thunderous deluges, I have been reminded of the narrative of Noah, taken from Genesis in the Old Testament. Noah, at 600 years of age, built an ark, a massive sailing vessel, upon a command from the Lord. Noah, a righteous man, fashioned the vessel on specific instructions given by God, and then he placed in the ark his family and a male and female of every living species.

When Noah had completed his task, he shut the doors to the ark and the rains began, continuing to fall for 40 days and 40 nights. At the end of the storm, there was a rainbow. Every living thing aboard the ark was saved. Every living thing not on the ark was destroyed.

On the bulletin board above my desk at work, I keep a list of "Life Lessons from Noah's Ark.'' They were written by James Vuocolo, a personal coach and trainer, and they have traveled the Internet waves for several years. They contain some profound advice and wisdom.

Always plan ahead. There wasn't any rain in the forecast when Noah started building the ark.

Don't listen to your critics. Listen instead to your heart, and then do whatever has to be done. The neighbors might have taunted when Noah was blocking their driveway, but he had the last laugh as soon as the rain began falling.

Stay physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally fit. You never know but that when you are 600 years old, someone might come along out of the blue and ask you to do something really big.

Don't seek to go it alone. Always travel at least in pairs because two heads are better than one.

Speed is not always an advantage. The cheetahs were on board but so were the snails; and they all arrived safely on dry ground at the very same time.

Handle conflict with certainty. If you can't fight or flee from adversity, at least make certain you have an idea that can float in the battlefield of ideas.

Don't miss the boat. Never forget this underlying truth: that ultimately when all is said and done, we're all in the same boat.

Be flexible in your thinking. Remember that amateurs built the ark while professionals built the Titanic.

Remember that fear is nothing more than "false evidence appearing real.'' The woodpeckers on the inside are often a bigger threat to your overall well being than the storms raging on the outside.

Remain faithful and optimistic. No matter how bleak things look, if God is traveling with you, there's always going to be a rainbow of peace on the other side of the storm.

An ancient narrative about an ancient man of faith in ancient history has much to offer to contemporary living. Looking back can often help us as we move forward.

Harris Murray is director of library services at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She can be reached by e-mail at writenow55@lycos.com

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