Thursday, February 25, 2016

Isaiah 41:17-20

When the poor and needy seek water,
   and there is none,
   and their tongue is parched with thirst,
I the Lord will answer them,
   I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 
I will open rivers on the bare heights,
   and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
   and the dry land springs of water. 

I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
   the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
   the plane and the pine together, 
so that all may see and know,
   all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
   the Holy One of Israel has created it. 

Stream of grace

I am drawn to water. My ideal home would be near a stream or a lake where I look out and see the sun rise or set on the water’s face. I would watch as earth’s fiery star turns the deep into a pool of wondrous color and be amazed that I am alive and able to feel the moment, falling in love again each day with life and the One from whom every moment comes.

Lakes awaken stillness in my heart, but I prefer water that moves, a stream or a great river that rolls ever onward to the next larger river and then to the sea, pouring into the deep, the sun recycling each drop that the rains may fall, awakening the earth to grow green and alive with color … and hope.

Sitting by the water, listening to the hush of a slow current or the chatter of a stream tripping among the rocks brings peace.

It quiets and assures the heart of a deep mystery: Despite the dry, hot places in our lives, life-loving grace is always flowing from the Heart of Wonder to our hearts. And if we are quiet and watch for a moment, it just may flow into us and fill us so full that tears of thanks will water our cheeks with the grace of gratitude.

You are the stream of grace that flows through all time and space. The river ever rolling from time unknown through the times of our lives, slaking our thirst when desert days scorch joy from our hearts.

You are the spring of life rising from earth’s secret center, bubbling fresh in smiles of love, the laughter of friends, the beauty of this unspeakable wonder we call a world and the fresh joy of awakening each morning to a new day, a truly new day.

For all this, accept my evening praise.

Pr. David L. Miller