April Showers

It is a chilly, rainy day in Bakersfield. Such days are quite rare in this mostly desert climate. By this time of the year, we are usually speeding headlong into 90° territory. This year, the Lord saw fit to bless us with experiencing a season which is usually quite short here: Spring. The way rain seems to quiet a whole community fills me with a sense of romance. I have learned through the years that, when I experience such a sense of being woo’d through nature, the woo-er is God. He is such a romantic!

He drew me to Deuteronomy 32:2-4:

Let my teaching fall like rain

and my words descend like dew,

like showers on new grass,

like abundant rain on tender plants.

I will proclaim the name of the LORD.

Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

He is the Rock, his works are perfect,

and all his ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong,

upright and just is he.

Moses spoke these words, the first part of an entire song he wrote, to the whole assembly of Israel just before He climbed up Mount Nebo and died. The rest of the song is full of God’s judgement and disappointment with Israel; yet, it opens with such a beautiful love sonnet to the God of Moses.

Moses took his role as teacher of the children of Israel seriously. Before he chastised Israel, he prayed for his words to feed the people, not poison them. Very wise. As I grow into my role as the ‘older’ woman who is to teach the younger, my prayer is the same.

Lord, let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender grass. These younger women are tender and thirsty for wisdom. Use me to proclaim your name and praise your greatness! I pray this to my savior who’s name means The Amen.