Under the eaves I sit, watching the rain wash the darkness. Knowing it breaks and nourishes the ground it fills, cleansing in its course. A breeze cools, fingers my hair. Vanishes.

I breathe in the sweet, damp air while the rain falls down, flows down, always down its way, its design, refreshing and softening the ground as it goes.

I too have received a quenching flow, flooding deep, filling the cracks and furrows of my soul. Softening memories. Washing bitter residue into the rushing river of forgiveness.

I have drunk deep of the living water, its waves and breakers washing over me; a renewing plunge. I’ve sunk my roots deep into the fertile soil of God’s mercy, finding my way to the still waters of peace.

To you who are parched and weary, hope dried and dying in a harsh land; you, living in the drought of crushed expectations. To you, who thirst for a wild and rushing wind bearing the scent of water: Lift up your heads. The King of glory comes, riding on the clouds, their billows pregnant with quenching promise. He comes to split the rock and satisfy the weary wanderer.

He comes to us, like the spring rains watering the earth. Like a blessing, an anointing, falling from heaven, down, down, down to meet us in the dust of despair. Washing our feet and tear-stained cheeks. Living water overflowing its banks, breaking through the dam of our expectations to flood our fallow ground with hope.

Maranatha.

Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

Isaiah 55:1-2, 6-7

Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

Revelation 22:17