It is the sound of gently rolling thunder that awakens me on this, The Lords Day. It announces the presence of the needed rains. The gentle steady rhythm of drops on the metal roof of the porch is a welcomed sound. The cadence of the water drops tells me that a gentle rain has finally come to us. So many of our days of moisture have come in short and heavy downpours. This rain is slow, continuous, and life-giving.
The leaves of the ancient trees catch the first drops, as the wetness cascades in a leaf hopping dance, little by little, down to the parched earth below. The flowers and grasses respond by bowing their heads in gratitude, and cupping their leaves so that every sustaining drop is put to use. Each colored petal and leaf is washed of the dry dust that has cloaked it. They bow under the weight of the drops, and then raise again fresh and renewed.
Tiny rivers of water make their way down the bark of the trees, and the occasional breeze causes a shower to fall on fauna and flora below. All life feels the relief from the heat and dryness of this hot summer.
The birds in the trees shake their feathers and stretch their wings and sing a note or two, while the falling rain offers the background music to it all. The occasional thunder offers a drum roll to complete the tympanic portion of natures symphony this morn.
As I stand on the porch and watch the gardens come alive in the wetness, I too feel renewed. It will be a wet trip to church this morn. We will welcome it. The umbrella will keep us dry...and smiling.
The Lord has refreshed the earth around us this day. Now, we will enter His house... and find refreshing for the Soul as well.
K.L. Dennie 2018
