We have had good rain this month. Before we moved to Texas I never knew what it was to actually pray for rain, but I have prayed desperately for it on more than one occasion.

This past August was the hottest one on record, and we had no rain. I tried my best to keep the lawn green and the flowers alive, but it just wasn’t working. I had never seen things look so bad. The grass crackled underfoot when we walked across it, and there were serious brown patches all over. We were on water restrictions, so watering was limited. I was even being very careful about how much water I used in the house. We have a well, and one of the subdivisions close to us had their large well run dry. I certainly didn’t want that to happen. And so we prayed for rain.

God is so good. He hears and answers prayer. One day the wind began to pick up, the sky grew dark, lightning flashed, thunder rolled and actual water fell from the sky! When you have been so long without rain, it is like a miracle when it finally begins to fall. If I were more “free-spirited” I would have run outside and danced around in it (instead I decided not to get my hair soaking wet because it gets so kinky and then I have to set it and well – you know).

When I woke up the next morning and looked out the window, the change was miraculous. Where there had been brown, dry grass there was green healthy looking grass. The flowers had perked up and were looking so much better. The drops of water on the leaves of the trees reflected the sunlight like glittering diamonds. The whole world looked fresh and clean.

There was the added benefit of lightning. Our local radio gardening guru informed us a long time ago that there is something in the lightning (I don’t understand all this scientific stuff) that causes the grass and the leaves to grow even better and greener. Whatever the reason, it all looked reborn.

The Lord “spoke” a little word to my heart about all this. There are times in my life, whether from neglect or busyness or indifference, or perhaps even unconfessed sin, when my soul becomes as parched and dry as my lawn was. I become desperate for a “drink” of water to quench my thirsty soul. Jesus is that Living Water. When I come to Him in prayer; when I spend time reading His word; He begins to pour that Living Water into my soul, and I am refreshed. I think there are times when it requires more than a gentle shower; when it requires a little thunder and lightning. He will do what is necessary to bring new life and growth.

Where there was once a barren, dry “desert”, the spirit flourishes. I am filled to overflowing with His presence – with peace and joy and love and grace, and it spills out onto everything and everyone around me. I am fresh and clean.

Blessings,
Linda