Rain
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11
It seems somehow unfair that it’s raining on Day 41. I pointed out yesterday that, in Genesis, it rained for 40 days and 40 nights. Shouldn’t Day 41 be a sunny day? That’s life in 2020, I suppose.
Sitting with my first cup of coffee this morning, the rain felt oppressive. Even the backyard would be off limits for us today. The kids’ energy would lack outlets. Karen Carpenter’s voice wormed its way into my thoughts: Hangin’ around, nothin’ to do but frown. Well, at least it’s not rainy and Monday.
I didn’t want to live in that headspace today (not that I mind Karen Carpenter, I just don’t want to feel down), so I thought a bit more about the rain. Rain, after all, serves a purpose. If May ever comes, we’ll have flowers. Water gives life.
I’m working with a number of families to schedule baptisms during the pandemic. They’ll be private affairs. Small, sacred moments. We’ll celebrate with the full assembly when we can gather again. But all we need is a bit of water. Water, joined to the Word, gives life. God’s purposes will not be thwarted. God will continue to give life.
So today I will remember my baptism. God’s life-giving waters flow around me. They flow around you, too. Water connects us, joins us together as the Body of Christ, brings us into the Triune life of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Water gives life, for you and for me. Today, that’s enough.
Be well, friends. You are loved.
God of life, you send rain upon the earth to nourish and cleanse. You send out your Word, whose purpose will not be thwarted. Give us comfort, Lord, that we may see in each falling drop a sign of your promise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Image: Author unknown (public domain).
Hi Pastor Lyle, FYI Isaiah 55:10-11 was my confirmation verse. It always helps me remember the strength of God’s Word.
When I was a first grade teacher in Thousand Oaks, CA I taught Richard Carpenter’s son, Colin. When Richard and his wife Mary came to Colin’s parent teacher conferences I was nervous but they were very accepting of my assessment of Colin. Richard was the piano accompanist for many of our school’s musicals. He is very talented. He could sit down at the piano bench and play any music put in front of him. I loved Karen Carpenter’s singing too. I think Richard never really got over her death. Because of Karen’s eating disorder, anorexia was really brought to the forefront of medical issues.
Thanks for everything you say and do.
LaNell Koenig
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