When landscape workers tilled the wrong section of our son’s sloped yard, he prepared to create a new lawn. The salesperson at the feed and seed store recommended immediate planting due to rain in the forecast.
My husband and son sowed ryegrass seed onto the upturned soil and topped it with wheat straw. Before they finished, a soft rain began to fall.
Although sprinklers provided water for the newly planted seeds on several sunny days that followed, no evidence of growth appeared. In less than a week, however, bright green shoots popped up through the wheat straw.
Gentle rain and additional water stimulated the growth of tiny roots that penetrated the soil, anchored the seedlings, and absorbed nutrients like tiny straws.
As another autumn rain fell today, I placed thirsty unplanted pansies on the deck.
I thought about my morning Bible study as I positioned the plants and considered how God’s Word gradually seeps into our hearts and promotes spiritual growth just as rain nourishes tender plants. Both processes take time and intentional watering.
The beautiful passage below speaks of rain and God’s intention. I hope these verses encourage us to study His Word even more and treasure it in our hearts.
10 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Did you play in warm rain showers when you were young? I remember tilting my head back with glee and opening my mouth to taste the fresh rainwater.
May we be as eager as puddle-splashing children to let our heavenly Father’s words saturate our hearts. God uses Scripture to change and mature us—one verse at a time, one passage at a time—gradually nourishing our soul like a gentle rain.
I hope the next autumn shower reminds us to fill our hearts and minds with raindrops from God’s Word.
How do you study the Bible? Which practices help you memorize verses? How has God used His Word to grow you spiritually? Please leave a response below to encourage all of us.
Beautiful devotion. It really is speaking to my spirit, as I think of you and Ray and pray for you this morning. Love and hugs!
Thank you, Evelyn. I’m so glad the post was a blessing to you. Love and hugs to you!
Nice
Thank you for reading, Cele, and leaving a comment. Have a blessed autumn day!
Jeannie,
I love this devotional.💜
I played in the rain with my 19 month old grandson yesterday morning.
Sometimes the most wonderful blessings come in the simplest and beautiful way from God.
Have a wonderful day.
Becky Croom
Becky, I can imagine you playing with your little grandson and teaching him what you wisely pointed out about “the most wonderful blessings come in the simplest and beautiful way from God.” Amen to that. I appreciate your comments so much.
Beautiful analogy, sister. 🥰
Diane, I do appreciate your comment. As Becky pointed out in her comment, those simple blessings are treasures.
I loved this! It makes me feel grateful when we have a good rain after a drought and NOT complain when it
Keeps raining!
Jan, I agree! We are blessed to receive needed rain. Have a beautiful fall day! I appreciate your comment SO much.
Beautiful devotion, Jeannie and my word for 2019 is “intentional”. Today it’s raining here in SC and I began with coffee and Jesus. I am loving the opportunity to stay in and read blogs like yours that point me to God. Thankful for the rain–the downpours that give me an “aha” moment in scripture, but also the gentle mist of comfort and grace that lasts throughout my day.
Thank you for these beautiful words and your comments, Marilyn. I love your description of blessings from God’s Word: “Thankful for the rain–the downpours that give me an “aha” moment in scripture, but also the gentle mist of comfort and grace that lasts throughout my day.”
Jeannie, I love to sit on my porch, in my favorite porch swing that I use for prayer time, and watch the falling rain. It always reminds me of the many blessings that God “rains” down on my family! Thanks for sharing!!
Ah, Julie, watching the rain and praying from your porch swing sounds glorious. Thank you for commenting.
Loved this Jeannie! I am most definitely a rain person!
I’m glad the post was a blessing to you, Sylvia. Thank you so much for commenting.
Yes I loved to play in the rain and still do with my kiddos. I also as a kid sat on our front porch and watched lightening with my MawMaw. I love weather and nature. Thank you for another great read ❤️
Jennifer, how kind you are to comment! In addition to God’s Word, you and I share a love for the world He created, including thunderstorms. That makes me smile.
A great lesson from nature! I enjoy watching the rain from my porch.
Thank you, Robin. After a long period without rain, our community had several nice showers recently. I enjoyed going out on the deck during that time with the fresh rain smell.