Ah Rain

    I got an email from our cousin in Varanasi India and he wrote of the dry dry condition there where usually the monsoon rains would be falling and bringing a years' worth of rain.  The farmers are frightened and it will effect the whole area with food loss. 
    And I drove home today in a downpour the whole way. No let up and Duncan streets were really flooded and the water washing down the gutters and it was in the way.
   And I thought about Ben and Susan in India and how they all pray for rain. 

  So what some have in abundance and excess ---others long for. 

What can we do?   
   Well about the rain we can say...ah rain... or ah no rain...

But about the abundance-- we can share it.  We are called to share it.  To give it away.  To give so much that it feels good.  Perhaps you've heard someone say that you should give things away until it hurts...well In God's understanding we are to give it away until it feels good.  Until we have what we need and others have what they need as well.  

The prayer Jesus taught said...Give us this day our daily bread.  Not bread for every day forever and ever and our grandchildren too...but what we need for the day.  We don't do that. We want bread for tomorow.  Jesus says Cast your bread upon the water...and it will return to you. Gifts given for God will bring joy and peace like nothing else. Satisfaction, happiness,  a breath. 

Generosity is a virtue and a joy.  Giving to those who need it, or through the church who uses it for the Good of the world, opening doors and opportunities for service ...  this is a gift we can return to God.  All we have is God's remember.  "All that I have is Thine alone --a Trust-- O Lord from thee'"   We sing this line in worship. 

 
I remember in Logan we were taking a special offering.  The first woman to come to share was a woman I would have 'excused' from the opportunity.   This woman was one who was single with three children, her husband wouldn't get a job becasue if he did he'd have to pay child support and since he wasn't employed she had to help him.  All in all not the one I would have expected to come with her gift.  But she was.  And it was her great gift. 

Ah Rain,  God's gifts rain upon us in so many ways. Give some away. Give a lot away to those in need.  You'll feel better... Even if this musing made you uncomfortable.  What amazing work we could doin the world  if all would give as they have been given. 

God abides
Bobbie McGarey
@2004