Finding Grace in Rain

It rained last night – the first (real) rain I have experienced in Victoria since we arrived shortly after Christmas last year.  One could almost hear the earth sigh and the trees draw a breath of relief.  The soil in the garden had become parched and dry, the grass was almost dead and the trees had become stressed.  The first rush of rain washed leaves and dust away pretty quickly, but it was the steady watering overnight the made a difference. I sat in my study early the next morning and listened to the gentle rain softening up the soil and watering the thirsty plants.

Photo: http://www.mymodernmet.com

What changed even more immediately was the faces and body language of people that evening and the next day – there was a palpable sense of relief, with relaxed shoulders and faces.  It was like a burden had suddenly been lifted.  Just as the dryness of the earth had been reflected in the tired hearts of the people, so the rain had ‘watered and washed’ our souls.

The most unlikely things affect our hearts – weather, news reports, the smile of a child, the greeting of an old friend.

I enjoy the ‘soul cleansing’ of Lent.  Every Lenten season is different for me – depending on what is going on around me.  This year I am learning again about Sabbath, rest and grace through the book Sabbath Keeping written by my friend and colleague Lynne Baab.  The book takes the reader on a journey through stories of people who have chosen to experience God’s grace through observing the Sabbath – a day of rest each week. 

“When I take a break once a week, I remember that God is the one in charge of keeping the world turning and not me.  Taking a day off each week also encourages me to be responsible with how I spend my time on the other six days.” (p19) 

Baab encourages her readers to stop some things on their Sabbath (e.g. give up technology for the day) and to start some ‘Sabbath habits or rhythms’ (e.g. intentionally finding beautiful things to appreciate – art, flowers, etc).  Through Lent we have talked about a similar idea – giving up something and taking up something else.  The invitation this Lent has been to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking to our hearts.

As we reach the Easter services, we grab hold of Grace in new and deep ways, but we also sit quietly and allow the soaking of the Spirit;
“You may come to me in happiness

Or you may come to me in grief

You may come to me in your deepest faith

Or you may come in disbelief” 

Leonard Cohen; Lover, Lover, Lover 

Like the soil receiving the rain, we don’t have to be ‘right’ or ‘ready’, just open to allowing the Spirit to soak into our souls.