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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

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