As the weather warms, Deb and I are resuming our walks. It hasn’t rained in a few weeks and the paths are looking quite weathered. I found the cracks interesting and stopped to take a photo. The outer crusty layers are breaking open. It’s as if the earth below is preparing to receive, opening up for the coming spring rains.

I’ve been enjoying a season of comfort, and increasing peace. It’s an odd thing when life gives you difficulty and heartache, and yet, deep below the surface, hope remains.

Physically, and emotionally, does anyone else identify with this photo?

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad;

    the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

Here is your God…. He will come and save you!

Isaiah 35:1,4

When Jesus came, he brought heaven’s rain upon the arid hearts of humanity. The thirsty, they will drink, and be made new again. Though we are weighed down, sometimes with burdens beyond our abilities to bear, there’s a deep well of mercy in our soul that calls out for the coming rain. We open up, and the very cracks in our armor, those things that keep us rooted in our frail mortality, they become the spaces God fills.

What is the posture of our hearts in times of drought?

I’m not yet blossoming, I still hurt. I’m not quite rejoicing, I still grieve. Yet, my heart is open to the kindness and mercy of God. I am ready to drink deeply from the goodness and love my Creator has for me.

So fill us, Jesus, we who are parched, and opening up to you today. We will rejoice and blossom again.