Skip to main content

Daily Rain

It's monsoon season in Arizona. This means it rains somewhere everyday for a couple of months. It comes along at the end of June and tapers off in September. Grass is now appearing in the front yard. The gardens, both flower and vegetable look happy. The leaves are a healthy green, and lush. Even the squash looks happy with big yellow blossoms promising a harvest to come. It's amazing how the mountains turn from brown to green in just days.

Once the rains stop sometime in September, things will gradually go back to brown. It usually doesn't take too long. Without the consistent watering from the sky, the landscape dries out quickly. Without the daily rains, the desert returns. Even if I collect the rainwater and use it later, it's not the same.

And so it is with feeding our souls. The daily time spent alone with the Savior can't be replaced with anything else. Hearing from God in His Word, and pouring out our hearts to Him in prayer has to be done daily. He has a fresh word for us each day. The word we read from the day before is easily forgotten. We save up our cares, feel frustrated and afraid, hoping for time to pray. Then the load is carried to bed with us, keeping us awake.

We make time for all sorts of things--taking a shower, feeding our faces, walking the dog, watching TV, and playing games on FaceBook. Why is spending time with God so low on our list of priorities? What are we afraid of?

Just as the manna only lasted a day, so our devotional life needs daily attention. It's rain on our souls. Sun on our hearts. Time that's never wasted. I need to hear what God has to say to me everyday, not just when I might have the time. I also need to spill my guts to Him everyday. To unload my frustrations and worries, to ask forgiveness, and to voice praise for His constant showers of blessings. It's a conversation, a divine friendship nurtured, thriving in His new mercies every morning. In His presence there is fullness of joy and He is our peace.

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. ---Book of Common Prayer

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Four Ways to Improve Your Pastor

Management expert, the late Peter Drucker once observed that the four most difficult jobs were: President of the United States, a university president, hospital administrator, and you guessed it--pastor of a church. I can hear some of you saying "Are you kidding? He only works on Sundays."  Well, that's not quite true, is it? The research shows that pastors are burned out, prone to moral failure (and not just sexual), and their marriages are often troubled. Who in their right mind would want to be a pastor? It's a tough gig, and God most definitely needs to call you to the pulpit. It's not for the faint of heart or the thin skinned.  There's also this warning from James: Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NLT   The job is 24/7/365, shepherding the flock of human sheep who, if we're honest, aren't great at following. The church is full
Post a Comment
Read more

Choosing a Puppy for Your Children

"But, Mom the puppies are really cute. I'll take care of it. Honest. We need a dog. I'll walk him and feed him. Pleeeeeese, can't we get a puppy?" The age old parent-child exchange about getting a puppy. The big decision to bring a baby canine into your family. How the passionate promises of feeding, walking, and cleaning up after the puppy pour so easily from your child's lips. You know, however, you'll be the one doing all of the above and more.  Of course, puppies are adorable, soft, cuddly, entertaining, annoying, labor intensive, and sleep disrupting. But, most likely you'll cave and get one anyway. Companion dogs are members of the family, and the puppy you add to the mix needs to be a good fit. Emotions run high over that furry, roly-poly critter whose antics can melt the heart of the stone. Take a deep breath and do your homework before making the commitment. Don't get a puppy at Christmastime. The excitement of the holiday will make it
5 comments
Read more

Barbecue Season

It's officially here according to the thermometer at Casa Wallace. Summer is blazing a trail through the desert right now. June is the hottest time of the year, which entices the monsoon season to finally show up. With summer comes barbecue time.  Steaks, burgers, chicken, you name it, we'll grill it to keep the heat of the house. Veggies are great too. The smell is my favorite summer air freshener. Every region has its own particular flavor for barbecue. Arizona is famous for that mesquite flavor. I haven't discovered THE Arizona barbecue recipe since we're greatly influenced by Texas. Smoked, slow cooked with a tomato based sauce, and fallin' off the bone, the ribs are finger lickin' good. We're lovers of Memphis barbecue, especially Corky's which is famous for its dry and wet seasoning. The dry rub is wonderful with a little kick to it. It's good on any meat, just rub it in, let it sit a spell and grill. Memphis elevates barbecue to divine hei
Post a Comment
Read more