Drenched with Heaven's Dew

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“…and he was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he learned that the Most High God rules over the kingdoms of the world…” Daniel 5:21

Indian summer held on tight wrapping it’s humidity around us like a wet blanket as we sauntered to class through the tree-tunneled path around the pond. I felt my bobbed curls—the ones that took me twenty minutes to unfurl—coil up like Shirley Temple’s locks (but not so cute), making me wonder why I hadn’t submitted to their natural tendencies.

Then, rain came—slowly, at first—one gentle drop after another.  It was almost melodic watching the rain drops create rings across the pond. Then the melody turned dark and the heavens opened just as we emerged from the tree tunnel.

She laughed and slowed.

I cry-screamed and darted.

Then, looking back at her through fogged-up glasses I yelled, “Are you crazy? We’re gonna get soaked!”

“I LOVE getting drenched by the rain,” she giggled back at me. “It makes my hair so soft.”

I tried enjoying it, partly because I thought maybe I was missing something, but mostly because I didn’t want to be rude and leave her behind.

I hated it. Soggy made me feel undone and ugly.

Sometimes that’s just the posture God wants from us—undone and ugly—because that’s where we’re most vulnerable and teachable.  It’s those times when we’re most undone that our God ears hear and our God eyes see.

(Join me in all the undone and ugly at Encouragement Cafe for the rest of the story. There is hope, my friend...)

In Drought or Rain

If you dropped by from {re}fresh, Welcome!

Let my teaching fall like rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants… 

Deuteronomy 32:2 NIV

Leaving the January New England cold, we flew west to “sunny” California. In a land experiencing drought for almost five years, we looked forward to some spring-like weather—sunny skies and warm temps. But, shortly after we landed, overcast skies and cool, damp breezes became the norm. Eventually, heavy fog set in and monsoon down pours dampened our plans.

We tried not to complain because California was so parched. After a couple of tough traveling days, the rains slowed and the skies brightened long enough to reveal California’s need and all its glory.

We found the need driving north to Yosemite where hundreds of thousands of acres of blackened, fire damaged land and trees stood as evidence. This barren land lay parched and black, crying out for a deep drink of heaven’s rain.

Reservoirs that once ran high along the banks, sat shrunken as though a giant had taken too deep a sip from his oversized straw, leaving but the dregs at the bottom of his glass.

But there was hope, as we traveled through Napa Valley and along the northern shore. California’s glory sang through glistening pruned vineyards, new green pastures, grazing herds, and crops harvested for market around every corner.

Such a drastic difference—these two experiences—it made me think how much like our lives this represented. Our souls may experience years of drought, thirsting after heaven’s rain, and yet none comes. But, through it all, we learn the importance of faith in God, community, and family—how being more dependent on God and one another is actually the better way to live. We become humbled during the drought years until our hearts are ready to drink in God’s blessings.

And when God’s blessings rain down upon a ready heart, God’s glory becomes evident because good fruit appears—fruit, that when harvested, with nourish many.

Preparing to cross over to the Promised Land, God gave Moses a song for Israel. Here it is in part from Deuteronomy 32:2, 37, 39 (NIV):

Let my teaching fall like rain, and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants…

They are not idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess…

See now that I myself am he! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life…

Where do you find yourself today? Drought or Rain? Do not curse either, as one prepares your heart to receive God’s teaching and the other prepares your heart for harvest. While in drought, ask God, “What is it that you want to teach me? What do you want to be for me during this time?” While it’s raining, give thanks, celebrate and humbly remember God as the source of the blessings.