The morning rain is welcome and refreshing after a week of very warm and dry spring weather. I let the water fall on my face as it journeys from sky to earth and imagine the ground receiving: yielding and softening, releasing nutrients for all the beautiful growing plants and creatures. I close my eyes and give thanks for the simple gift of water, sustaining life in all its forms.
I imagine the days before public water systems and irrigation, when praying for rain was a common practice. Early settlers relied on rain to produce the crops necessary for their survival. Native American cultures performed rain dances during dry spells and had celebrations when water began to fall from the sky. It must have seemed mystical, like nourishment from heaven.
Today, Global warming and scarcity of water are a big part of the climate crisis we are facing right now, so I'm feeling that this morning's rain is really a sacred thing. We often take water for granted in this part of the world, but there are areas, such as the Sudan, where it can mean the difference between life and death. Even in this country, great rivers like the Colorado and the Rio Grande are drying up, especially during periods of drought. So living in the Finger Lakes region, with an abundance of fresh water, seems like a real blessing.
This week, as we celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd, let's pause, be still and reflect on the beauty and incredible diversity of life on our amazing planet, giving thanks especially, for the refreshment of rain.
<3
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