Weekly Reflection - 1/11/2023

St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson

Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day?

I will be honest with you; I am not a big fan of rain. My preferred climate is dry, warm but not hot, in which an abundance of outdoor activities can be engaged in. The rain gets in the way of my outdoor exercise routine and in general gives me a feeling of malaise.

The rain these last couple of weeks has done some of that, but I was surprised by the blessing the rain gave me as well. Between Christmas and New Year’s my kids were out of school and we had several family members in town. It was a week away from the office for me as well, and since there was so much rain, there really wasn’t any option but to be still and present with each other. And with nothing that had to be accomplished, or needed to be accomplished, time was left available to just be. There were days where I simply sat around with my kids. Other times I read a book or played a video game. I let go of the want (maybe the need?) to fill every moment with activity or accomplishment. Because of the rain, I had to let go of any agenda and simply be present to what was. And it was wonderful. In “wasting time” with my family and mundane activity I discovered a real grace of relationship and rest. I loved it! And I don’t think I would have allowed myself such space if it wasn’t for the presence, and limitation, of the rain.

I love the fact that God commands us to rest, to take Sabbath. It is a reminder that our activity is not the foundational source of our wellbeing. That belongs to the love and grace of God. I need to rethink my disdain of the rain, as it has offered me, required me even, to be still and know that God is God.

Water is a powerful force. We certainly see that in the destructive powers of flooding. Water is also a source of life. Vital to our physical nature, but also our spiritual nature as well. It is in the waters of baptism that we are reborn to the life of God. It was through the waters of the Red Sea that God freed the people of ancient Israel. And perhaps it is through the waters of heavy rain that God not only refreshes our drought prone geographical area, but also refreshes our drought prone desire to overwork and even overplay, and we are invited to rest, to just be, and receive the outpouring downpour of God’s love and grace.

The Rev. David Erickson