Dance like you’re already in the rain….
The heat has lingered long this year,
the ground more parched than I’ve known in all my days of coaxing things to grow.
Painful dry.
The little bit of rain that has kissed the dirt rolls mostly off unreceived
and I’m watching people lose trees that have stood long
through the seasons.
I want to water everything.
To give a long, slow pour to thirsty places,
dipping down my bucket to draw up water,
and then let go a fountain
to make brittle things live again
– dry bones, dry-docked dreams
and dry ground.
I’m in heavy watering mode these days so if you’ve got some thirsty places,
hold still while i give us a little pour:
You there,
growing where you’re planted in the middle of a dry spell,
hunkered down drawing up moisture from the dust
while your heart thumps hungry for the rain.
Can you feel the faint tremble as the ground rumbles deep?
Like something far is coming – the sound a wildfire or stampeding herd might make.
You feel it in the way that dogs hear a high pitched sound
so it puts you on edge and your heart begins to pace
because you’re already wilting in this place.
Feeling too far gone. And tired.
Wake up your hope and listen.
In the early morning blue of your before there swells a river
that’s been rising on the raw end of a long night dark.
It’s the squeeze before your breakthrough that your thirsty heart is hearing
in those places of “damn, we’re in a tight spot.”
This is your before – not the end as it may seem.
There’s coming a healing rain and it will find you
where and how you need.
There’s nothing you can do to miss it, this help that’s on the way.
Your heart is seen and known and understood
and you’re okay.
What if you let yourself take on
a holy curiosity about it all.
To go toward wonder.
The clouds of something good are gathering.
Your dry season is ending.
Go ahead and dance like you’re already in the rain.
“Faith is not a club you belong to, but a current you surrender to.”
– Glennon Doyle Melton
“God is perhaps more tender than you know.”
– Brennan Manning
I’d like to give away another package this week
– yeah, it lights me up:)
Leave a comment and I’ll plunk your name in the hat
for the drawing.
And it gives me huge joy to send one out to wonderful Susan of Windrock Studio this week
with a whole lot of love.
How I hope you can always dance in the rain.
The life-giving, healing, heart balm that is love, growth and rainbows.
Gosh I love your words, Sue:) love, growth and rainbows:)
Balm for my soul, for sure. Thanks for showing up with your
life-giving way:) I really appreciate:)
-Jennifer
As I read your beautiful words the rain has been steady here in Virginia for the first time during my entire visit to see my mom. So desperately needed…especially after all the manual watering of grass seed from a large landscaping project here. So I’m going to send some your way today!!!
So glad you got to be in Roanoke for a bit; I love the idea of you visiting the valley:)
Say hello to the star for me. Wishing you rainkissed dreams.
-Jennifer
What a wonderful way to think of it — the before, not the ending. That is exquisitely perfect.
It has been dry here, too but finally on Friday we had a wonderful rain — the kind you like to listen to in bed, the kind that goes on and on. Suddenly things started to grow again (when only the weeds were thriving before).
May your warm, sweet rain fall soon and your ending be a happy one.
It’s raining soft while I type this, Jeanie;
a little shower has found us at last.
Hoping for waves – many waves:)
-Jennifer
The hottest of summers…the driest of summers…too extreme for me! Jenn, how can I ever thank you enough for the package that arrived the other day, for me? You made my whole week! Your words touched me to the point of tears, they are so beautiful. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your loving gifts and for being you. You don’t just think about making the world a more beautiful place, you do it. Everyday. Kathy
I’m so glad it found you! Hooray:)
Thanks for taking the time – big hope rising
for a very large joy as you September along:)
-Jennifer
To read your words as a metaphor of a drought within the soul, to have sorrows described as if they must be understood, to read on to the close in faith and hope for the restoration available in God’s holy heart…dancing, knowing the rain will come feels like a cool breeze across my face. Merci.
Thanks for reading, Lisa – i see you there dancing,
in my mind’s eye, and grin because it sets my feet to
scooting across the floor, too:) I appreciate your company
along the road. Much thanks,
Jennifer
Oh, the luscious images, the perfect words and the delight at spotting my name!!! I will be dancing like a wild woman!! Thanks for the gentle pour.
So excited about getting a package mailed out to you:)
Makes my heart dance wild, too:)
Thanks, friend,
Jennifer