“Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I, the Lord have created it.” Isaiah 45:8

Rain

When I was a child we used to chant, “Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.” A rainy day in summer meant we were confined to the house, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, or playing board games. The only excitement was when there was a downpour and we would don our bathing suits and run around outside, laughing and squealing, getting soaking wet and loving every minute of it. A rainy day can be a break from doing outside work. It is restful and quieting. It is cleansing and refreshing. After the rain the world is clean and sweet- smelling. Where would nature be without rain? There would be no rivers or lakes, and no life on earth. We would never know the joy of experiencing the breaking through of the sun following a stormy day, or see a rainbow appear in the sky. In Holy Baptism we are given new life by water and the Holy Spirit. We become new spiritual beings, and are welcomed into the household of God. So let’s not complain. Let us welcome the life-giving, thirst-quenching rain and be thankful.

gracedeacon@gwi.net