We lived through a terrible drought about a year ago and the desolate dryness of that time is etched in my memory. Now my response to rain is altogether different. Even though I've always loved the sudden rumbles of thunder, the soft sound of a shower running off the roof , blowing through the trees, still after all that parched and harsh heat, rain represents an even greater and more precious gift. Recently we had rain in our forecast. I went outside early that morning to sit on our covered patio and wait. As thunder echoed its approach and I smelled the sudden freshness in the air, relief seemed to permeate my whole body. It is a feeling I'm familiar with from a different kind of drought.
When loss sinks into the depths of your heart, there is a pervasive inner pain that longs for relief. Blessedly, if we can pay attention, it will come . . . . sometimes briefly, sometimes from the most unlikely and unexpected sources . . . a brightly colored hotair balloon high up in the clouds drifting with the wind, the quick glimpse of a rainbow - complete with all its colors, sun sparkling and dancing over the water, a dog's wet nose kiss, the startling brilliance of a blossom that wasn't there yesterday, children's giggly noise, a full moon in the dark sky, spontaneous laughter or the almost endless changing glow of sunset.
When we are blessed to take in such gifts, relief rushes in without warning, maybe only for a moment, but that moment reminds us of the Beauty that cannot be destroyed and pours hope into a parched soul.
rain
saturating our thirst
slowly feeding our need in steady offerings
washing the dust of drought
and doubt
til hope emerges and
trust is revived
in deep renewing breaths our hearts come alive again
drinking in the nourishment of honest vulnerability
at peace in the truth of the moment that opens the way
a precious surprise
once again
grace rains down
and brittle souls gasp back to life
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