--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We cannot make it rain but we can see to…" description: "\"We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.\" — Henri Nouwen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png" --- # We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain… ![“We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.” quote by Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png) > “We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.” [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We cannot control external events, but we can prepare ourselves to benefit when opportunities arise **In simple terms:** We can’t control rain, but we can ready soil for it Key Takeaway Prepare yourself to receive what you cannot control Themes preparedness faith opportunity Mood hopeful thoughtful Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - career planning - personal growth - community projects Key Concepts spirituality resilience Questions to Reflect On - What can you do today to become ready for future chances? - How does faith influence your preparation? A Different Perspective Preparation alone won’t guarantee success ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Make Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-rain-824454/) [Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared/) [Prepared Soil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-soil-2070815/) [Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain/) [Rain Falls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain-falls/) [Rain Rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rain-rain/) [Soil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soil/) ## Related quotes > [Bitch I make it rain rain rain rain get yo umbrella, and I thank my chain froze man I think you need a sweater.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roscoe-dash/bitch-i-make-it-rain-rain-rain-rain-get-yo-umbrella-and-i-thank-my/) [Roscoe Dash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roscoe-dash/) > [If you searching for a rainbow,then you got to make it rain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-vickers/if-you-searching-for-a-rainbow-then-you-got-to-make-it-rain/) [Jennifer Vickers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-vickers/) > [You can clear the land, plow the field, spread the fertilizer, and plant the corn. But you cannot make it rain. You cannot prevent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-beattie/you-can-clear-the-land-plow-the-field-spread-the-fertilizer-and-plant/) [Melody Beattie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-beattie/) > [I want to make movies on a soundstage. They close the door and it's nighttime, daytime. If it has to rain, they make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-walken/i-want-to-make-movies-on-a-soundstage-they-close-the-door-and-it-s/) [Christopher Walken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-walken/) > [Just left the bank I took 50 from the teller (CashMoney). I'm fitting to make it rain so get you an umbrella. We also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jones/just-left-the-bank-i-took-50-from-the-teller-cashmoney-i-m-fitting-to/) [Jim Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jones/) > [The idea is you wanna make him wanna make it rain on that ass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-marbles/the-idea-is-you-wanna-make-him-wanna-make-it-rain-on-that-ass/) [Jenna Marbles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-marbles/) > [I can make it through the rain, I can stand up once again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-can-make-it-through-the-rain-i-can-stand-up-once-again/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Throw some glitter make it rain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kesha/throw-some-glitter-make-it-rain/) [Kesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kesha/) > [Make it rain money, make it hurricane, thunder Running to the check, while the check steady coming I ain't gotta flex, cause I'm really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/team-dope/make-it-rain-money-make-it-hurricane-thunder-running-to-the-check/) [Team\_Dope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/team-dope/) > [David Blaine..make it rain..make a boat..make a plane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/david-blaine-make-it-rain-make-a-boat-make-a-plane/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) > [Go insane go insane, throw some glitter, make it rain...!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/go-insane-go-insane-throw-some-glitter-make-it-rain/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Skeet Skeet Skeeted on that hoe yea boy, I make it rain, Shawty dont do me, I don't play no games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soulja-boy/skeet-skeet-skeeted-on-that-hoe-yea-boy-i-make-it-rain-shawty-dont-do/) [Soulja Boy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soulja-boy/) > [When it's raining you can't find enough things to catch it in. When it's not you can stand out in the middle of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-waits/when-it-s-raining-you-can-t-find-enough-things-to-catch-it-in-when-it/) [Tom Waits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-waits/) > [SWEAR YOU MAKE IT RAIN BUT I STILL AINT SEEN 1 DROP.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/auburn/swear-you-make-it-rain-but-i-still-aint-seen-1-drop/) [AUBURN](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/auburn/) > [I'm just waiting for people to start asking me to make the rain disappear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-copperfield/i-m-just-waiting-for-people-to-start-asking-me-to-make-the-rain/) [David Copperfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-copperfield/) ## More by Henri Nouwen > [We are not the healers, we are not the reconcilers, we are not the givers of life. We are sinful, broken, vulnerable people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-are-not-the-healers-we-are-not-the-reconcilers-we-are-not-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The more we touch the intimate love of God which creates, sustains, and guides us, the more we recognize the multitude of fruits that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-we-touch-the-intimate-love-of-god-which-creates-sustains-and/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Feelings of guilt dominate our work as peacemakers we cannot last long. But when we have opened each other's eyes to the great human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/feelings-of-guilt-dominate-our-work-as-peacemakers-we-cannot-last/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [...we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-all-want-to-hear-stories-from-the-moment-we-are-born-to-the-moment/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I have found it very important...to let go of my wishes and start hoping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-have-found-it-very-important-to-let-go-of-my-wishes-and-start-hoping/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Simply being with someone is difficult because it asks of us that we share in the other's vulnerability, enter with him or her into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/simply-being-with-someone-is-difficult-because-it-asks-of-us-that-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/somewhere-we-know-that-without-silence-words-lose-their-meaning/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Jesus says, "Keep your heart on the kingdom first. Keep your heart on God's love. Keep focused on the fact that you are God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/jesus-says-keep-your-heart-on-the-kingdom-first-keep-your-heart-on/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/this-sounds-very-simple-and-maybe-even-trite-but-very-few-people-know/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“The more preoccupied we are with security the more visible the force of death becomes, whether in the form of a pistol beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-more-preoccupied-we-are-with-security-the-more-visible-the-force/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [I choose L'Arche; L'Arche chooses me. I would be dead if I weren't here. I need people to love me and care for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/i-choose-l-arche-l-arche-chooses-me-i-would-be-dead-if-i-weren-t-here/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God's eyes, called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/the-truth-even-though-i-cannot-feel-it-right-now-is-that-i-am-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [In a world so torn apart by rivalry, anger, and hatred, we have the privileged vocation to be living signs of a love that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/in-a-world-so-torn-apart-by-rivalry-anger-and-hatred-we-have-the/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [Where true inner freedom is, there is God. And where God is, there we want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/where-true-inner-freedom-is-there-is-god-and-where-god-is-there-we/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) [Explore all 452 Henri Nouwen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) ## More Fall quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [Two things revolutionised life: moving to the countryside and falling in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-love/two-things-revolutionised-life-moving-to-the-countryside-and-falling/) [Nick Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-love/) > [“When you jump, all you're going to do is fall. But leaping? Leaping is when you think there's something on the other side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-levithan/when-you-jump-all-you-re-going-to-do-is-fall-but-leaping-leaping-is/) [David Levithan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-levithan/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [To hurry through the rise and fall of a fine, full sentence is like defying the role of time in human life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clark/to-hurry-through-the-rise-and-fall-of-a-fine-full-sentence-is-like/) [Kenneth Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clark/) > [Many Republicans have always reminded me of professional WWF wrestlers. They come into the ring all pumped up and acting like they're invincible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-feig/many-republicans-have-always-reminded-me-of-professional-wwf/) [Paul Feig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-feig/) > [“We will all, at some point in our lives, fall. Every single one of us. We shouldn't spend our time trying to avoid falling.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/we-will-all-at-some-point-in-our-lives-fall-every-single-one-of-us-we/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [I am attracted to looking at the different things language can mean even in one sometimes quite ordinary utterance. Writing is partly about listening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/i-am-attracted-to-looking-at-the-different-things-language-can-mean/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [How wonderful it would be to scatter words as they rise to consciousness, to let them lie where they fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-scott/how-wonderful-it-would-be-to-scatter-words-as-they-rise-to/) [Joanna Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-scott/) > [My life is a crystal teardrop. There are snowflakes falling in the teardrop and little figures trudging in slow motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-baez/my-life-is-a-crystal-teardrop-there-are-snowflakes-falling-in-the/) [Joan Baez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-baez/) > [Life will knock you down & it's tough, but you are strong enough. Get back up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-will-knock-you-down-it-s-tough-but-you-are-strong-enough-get/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I was 13, I began relaxing my hair, and that meant when I turned 18 it began to crack and fall off, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soledad-o-brien/when-i-was-13-i-began-relaxing-my-hair-and-that-meant-when-i-turned/) [Soledad O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soledad-o-brien/) > [“If you ever falling but can't see the bottom be glad you can't because at the bottom it's either a soft land or rocks!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelseigh-ashton/if-you-ever-falling-but-can-t-see-the-bottom-be-glad-you-can-t/) [Kelseigh Ashton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelseigh-ashton/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) [Browse all 13,401 Fall quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Nouwen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to-it-that-the-rain-falls-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fall" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to-it-that-the-rain-falls-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fd/henri-nouwen-600_fall_we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to_2616332.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We cannot make it rain but we can see to it that the rain falls on prepared soil.” — Henri Nouwen", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Henri Nouwen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We cannot make it rain but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to-it-that-the-rain-falls-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/we-cannot-make-it-rain-but-we-can-see-to-it-that-the-rain-falls-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```