Summertime Drought
I didn’t know what to write about today. I’m still not completely sure, so we’re going to stumble through this together, okay? Okay. It’s one of those seasons where I feel like I’m in a desert, and instead of shying away from that frustration I’m going to try to face it head on and with direct intention.
It’s almost funny, feeling like I’m in a desert despite the heavy amounts of rain we’ve been getting almost every day this last week. We’ve had thunderstorms and tornado warnings, and all of the normal things that come with summertime in Nebraska. There’s a song I heard at camp one year that I used to sing every time it looked like rain. It was an act of worship to sing this song as the clouds rolled in. I don’t know what the name of the song is, but it goes:
“ Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of heaven.
(And repeat a million times.)”
While I love singing and worshiping in this way, it’s not the only way I give thanks to God.
I told someone recently that being creative can be an act of worship for me. When I’m working on a sewing project or writing, it’s a way for me to give back to my Creator and be thankful for the gifts He has given me. There’s something about using my hands to make something new and good…. It’s therapeutic. I know that my mom understands this as she finds her art of painting is an act of worship. I know that my friend, Lisa, uses gardening as an act of worship.
So what does this have to do with feeling like I’m in a desert? I’m in a creative desert. I have these projects I want to make, but I don’t have a clear direction for what to do. I have these stories I want to tell, but I don’t feel motivated to step into that other world.
I know the best way for me to get out of this drought, this creative and spiritual drought, is to find creativity and worship via other avenues.
So I went to church today by myself. And I relished the time to myself in community with other people—it sounds like an oxymoron, but I don’t know how else to explain it. We sang Amazing Grace, and sometimes those old steadfast hymns are just the balm that I need for this sin-blistered heart. Pastor talked about the freedom and grace we have in Christ, and it was the message that I needed to hear. Sometimes, I just need to take the time to listen.
I spent time scrubbing out the tub today. It’s not glamorous. It’s not creative. But it’s work, and it gets other muscles working.
Sometimes worship is work.
Sometimes getting out of the drought isn’t about just waiting for the rain to come.
Sometimes you have to get up and move yourself.
Sometimes you have to let the grace of God wash over you and remind you that no matter the drought or the flood, He is with you.
