PHOTOS: Mary van Balen You visit the earth and water it,
make it abundantly fertile.
God’s stream is filled with water…
…Thus do you prepare the earth; you drench plowed furrows,
and level their ridges.
With showers you keep the ground soft,
blessing its young sprouts…
your paths drip with fruitful rain.
The untilled meadows also drip…
Morning Prayer Ps65,10-13
Last night, I lay in bed listening to the storm. Thunder rumbled, lightening illumined pulled window shades, and rain pummeled the roof. Storms at night comfort me as I lay in darkness, trying to put the days events to rest. Rain. Water. Ancient symbols of God’s blessings fell all round me. Springtime earth soaked it up. So did I.
A few nights ago, I visited my sky gazing friend, Melanie, to celebrate the super moon. I arrived while she was still at church, so looping a monocular around my neck and sliding a camera in my pocket, I took a slow walk around her property.
The first thing I noticed was the boggy path, covered with earth-hugging green and oozing water at every step. I shifted my weight and watched the water run from one side of my shoe to the other. Eyes closed, I was still and felt God’s own life fill my soul, like water drawn up a thirsty stalk.
I made no effort; it was all the water’s work, carrying grace to empty places. I stood long, marveling at the energy and hope that invigorated me.
Bird calls drew my attention, and I nodded to my companions: cedar waxwings, doves, bluebirds, red-winged black birds, titmice, juncos, song sparrows, house sparrows, a skittish wren, and of course, grackles.
Melanie returned. We sat on her veranda, lit a fire in the chiminea, and ate homemade soup as we waited for the moon to make its appearance. It did not disappoint, rising big and orange through the trees. As it climbed higher, the moon looked back at itself from Melanie’s pond.
Birch logs glowed orange, smoke rose to the sky, and we sat, two friends saturated with spring blessings.
©2011 Mary van Balen
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