The sound of a steady, gentle rain is something that I have always found comforting.
Right now I sit by the window to listen.
Rain is refreshing and restorative.
Our lawn was looking quite dry and my flowers and veggies have been very thirsty.
For the first time in my adult life I am not relying upon well water, which has eliminated quite a few concerns. Wells run dry and have even collapsed on occasion. My husband and I have experienced both. Thus I was glad to know our new home didn’t include one!
As a child we had municipal water and I, honestly, never gave it a thought. If there ever was a risk of a shortage I was unaware of it. Typical child.
So the recent email from our water company took me by surprise. It requested that all their customers stop any non-essential water use.
But watering my flowers is essential for me!
They haven’t been in the ground very long and they need to get established.
So this rain is most welcome!
Scripture speaks of the trees clapping their hands. I’m sure they are also singing!
It’d be lovely to be able to hear all of nature in song!
Just like the rain I find time sitting with Papa refreshing and restorative.
A quote by Oswald Chambers got me thinking about this.
“Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God”
The Vault of Heaven is filled with His Grace and just like any vault it needs to be drawn upon.
Grace.
His unmerited favor.
Totally independent from any need to be earned.
Completely dependent upon the Love of God.
The Love of God.
Unconditional and eternal.
There are times that just like my flowers I am very thirsty.
Thirsty for refreshment from my God.
The Psalmist poetically expresses this in Psalm 42, verse 1:
“ As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.”
In the Fourth chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus speaks of the difference between the satisfaction we receive from the physical and spiritual water.
“ Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.“
The Amplified version describes the water He gives as a spring that wells up, flowing and bubbling.
So why do I get thirsty for more? Doesn’t that contradict the Words of Christ?
I imagine it is like the trees and plants. After they are established they have deeper roots that tap into underground springs and can survive a dry spell. Yet they still seek the refreshment of rain.
That is how it is for me.
In Psalm 23 we have the picture of a relationship. One that refreshes.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Psalms 23:2-3 NASB
It is my habit of drinking water all day, every day.
If, for some reason, I go any period of time apart from my water bottle I become parched.
Water is essential.
So is our connection with the Provider of the spiritual water!
There is one book of the Bible that is found in the Old Testament filled with love letters between two lovers. It symbolizes the relationship we are to enjoy with the Living God.
“You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
“ Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits!””
Song of Solomon 4:15-16 NASB
He is the garden spring, the well of fresh water, the stream!
He will never run dry, nor collapse!
As we drink Him in we find refreshment and restoration.
Then we experience the joy of blossomIng and becomIng bearers of fruit.
Yes, Joy!
Not simply happiness.
Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not.
Joy comes from drinking deeply.
Joy that shows up in all those blossoms!
This is our gift to Him.
A gift that springs from Him.
A gift that pleases Him.
Right now I sit by the window to listen.
Rain is refreshing and restorative.
Our lawn was looking quite dry and my flowers and veggies have been very thirsty.
For the first time in my adult life I am not relying upon well water, which has eliminated quite a few concerns. Wells run dry and have even collapsed on occasion. My husband and I have experienced both. Thus I was glad to know our new home didn’t include one!
As a child we had municipal water and I, honestly, never gave it a thought. If there ever was a risk of a shortage I was unaware of it. Typical child.
So the recent email from our water company took me by surprise. It requested that all their customers stop any non-essential water use.
But watering my flowers is essential for me!
They haven’t been in the ground very long and they need to get established.
So this rain is most welcome!
Scripture speaks of the trees clapping their hands. I’m sure they are also singing!
It’d be lovely to be able to hear all of nature in song!
Just like the rain I find time sitting with Papa refreshing and restorative.
A quote by Oswald Chambers got me thinking about this.
“Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God”
The Vault of Heaven is filled with His Grace and just like any vault it needs to be drawn upon.
Grace.
His unmerited favor.
Totally independent from any need to be earned.
Completely dependent upon the Love of God.
The Love of God.
Unconditional and eternal.
There are times that just like my flowers I am very thirsty.
Thirsty for refreshment from my God.
The Psalmist poetically expresses this in Psalm 42, verse 1:
“ As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for you, O God.”
In the Fourth chapter of the Gospel of John Jesus speaks of the difference between the satisfaction we receive from the physical and spiritual water.
“ Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again, but whoever drinks the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.“
The Amplified version describes the water He gives as a spring that wells up, flowing and bubbling.
So why do I get thirsty for more? Doesn’t that contradict the Words of Christ?
I imagine it is like the trees and plants. After they are established they have deeper roots that tap into underground springs and can survive a dry spell. Yet they still seek the refreshment of rain.
That is how it is for me.
In Psalm 23 we have the picture of a relationship. One that refreshes.
“He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.”
Psalms 23:2-3 NASB
It is my habit of drinking water all day, every day.
If, for some reason, I go any period of time apart from my water bottle I become parched.
Water is essential.
So is our connection with the Provider of the spiritual water!
There is one book of the Bible that is found in the Old Testament filled with love letters between two lovers. It symbolizes the relationship we are to enjoy with the Living God.
“You are a garden spring, A well of fresh water, And streams flowing from Lebanon.”
“ Awake, O north wind, And come, wind of the south; Make my garden breathe out fragrance, Let its spices be wafted abroad. May my beloved come into his garden And eat its choice fruits!””
Song of Solomon 4:15-16 NASB
He is the garden spring, the well of fresh water, the stream!
He will never run dry, nor collapse!
As we drink Him in we find refreshment and restoration.
Then we experience the joy of blossomIng and becomIng bearers of fruit.
Yes, Joy!
Not simply happiness.
Happiness is dependent upon circumstances. Joy is not.
Joy comes from drinking deeply.
Joy that shows up in all those blossoms!
This is our gift to Him.
A gift that springs from Him.
A gift that pleases Him.
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