My eyes weren't even open yet and I knew something was different.

In the quiet was suspended a green-grey calm. The world seemed somehow more open, more receptive than when I had gone to bed. The rain had come. Outside the bows of the maple dipped the green of her frock low in a graceful cursty while the coarse brown grass stood austerely pointing accusingly up at the dove gray clouds . The patient black-eyed susans nodded their heads ruefully in an "I-told-you-so" way.

Just as the trees were beginning to lose their leaves, the farmers to shake their heads over the failing corn, the tomatoes to cease making blooms the rain came. Just in time and gently the downfall replenished the earth and the hopes of those in it.

Isn't this how God works so often? In our lives here in the world we live in desperate dust-bowls of circumstances thirsting for rest, or justice, or fulfillment. Just at the time when we can't seem to do it on our own any longer we look up- placing our situations and pains into our Father's hands and he has his way with us and replenishes us with his care and Spirit.