When all you can do is hold on

Summer in New England has been beautiful this year. Many sunny days and warm temperatures have allowed me to enjoy the summer like I haven't in a very long time. We've actually been a few inches behind in rainfall, but as I water my garden myself, I hadn't really noticed.

The past 3 days have been cool and rainy -- VERY rainy. I didn't mind, as it was the first rainy weekend in a while.

This morning I observed the river for the first time in a while. Life has gotten busy and full . . . I have not been to the river in too long. I didn't realized how parched I was, even as I enjoyed the sun's rays.

Our souls are so like the green, growing things around us. While we thrive on sunshine, especially after a long winter, we also desperately need water. It is all too easy to enjoy the sun and despise the rain.

But what did I say just a few lines ago? We're behind in rainfall this year but I hadn't really noticed because I water my plants myself.....oh if only my soul were as fortunate as my plants!

So often we enjoy the sunshine of a full and busy life -- the sunshine of life's blessings, if you will. We see rain as a negative. "Into every life a bit of rain must fall..." And yet it is very rare for us to take on the responsibility of watering our souls the way we water our flowers.

Why is this?

In my less-than-expert, yet experienced opinion, I believe that it is because I see my flowers start to wilt long before I see signs of thirst in my soul. Or maybe its because I have failed to recognize the signs of thirst in my soul.

It's easy enough in a plant, but not so easy to look inside for signs of dryness.

This summer has been wonderful -- so much sunshine!! Rare for this area. But God help me use this as a reminder to water my soul at least as often -- if not more often -- as I water my plants.