Last week, my husband, Joel, and I ventured for our evening walk - though the clouds looked threatening. About halfway through our journey, it started to drizzle. Yet, we decided to carry on. As the rain gently hit the ground, I was brought back to my growing up years in Chicago.
My family occupied a second-floor apartment in the Logan Square neighborhood. The summers were beastly hot. Without air conditioning we cooled off with an open fire hydrant or the public park sprinkler. However, my favorite way to cool off was sitting on the back porch during a rainstorm. As kids, we often would run around getting wet. As we got older, we would sit and dangle our legs and feet in the rain. The rain cooled us, but also provided us wonderful memories of laughter and silliness.
As we walked back home, barely wet, I could not help but contemplate the invitation by God through the gentle rain.
- Rain brings memories of splashing, giggles, dancing, and joy. I pray that I may more readily embrace moments that create more joy-filled memories.
- Rain brings nourishment to the earth. I pray that we may be good stewards of the earth and embrace the joy of the harvest.
- Too much rain brings flooding and devastation. I pray that these will be points of community building and healing.
- Without shelter, rain makes the vulnerable more vulnerable. I pray that we work towards a just and stable society that values safety and stability.
- Rain washes and renews. I pray that God washes and renews us for faithful discipleship.
Amen.
May this devotion provide you with a moment of faithful reflection and care. You are involved in ministries of justice and witness, in ministries of standing up and standing with people working to create better systems and communities, in ministries of learning and searching and researching to become more aware and awakened, more technologically savvy and proficient, more virtually and personally present in your churches and communities and world. Each of us who serve as members of your Wisconsin Cabinet write these devotions in grateful prayer for you – for sustenance and buoyancy, for strength and courage, for safety and just actions, and for faith and love to be full and fulfilled in your daily lives. God’s grace and blessings, God’s challenge and healthy discomfort, God’s Spirit and energy be with you, in the hope Christ offers us all.