Bags of Grass

 I woke up this morning and my mouth and sinuses were pretty dry and stiff. This is not unusual for me during the heating season or otherwise. Dry and wet, weeping and joy shouting, sowing and harvesting--this Psalm is full of opposites and contrasts. It is probably hard for us to fully grasp what it is like to live in a part of the world where there are "watercourses" which the New Revised Standard Version translation uses to try to provide a word for a wadi that the rest of the world will understand. Dry streambed doesn't roll off the tongue. We all, however, can relate to drought times and rainy times.

I remember one extremely rainy spring when I was a teenager mowing lawns for money. It had rained for weeks straight, continuously. The grass had gotten so high and thick it took multiple attempts, passes, and mowings to get it down. I remember a day after the weather broke, a classmate and I were comparing bag counts of cut grass. It was most definitely an abundance. Certainly a poor use of the surplus to throw the grass in the trash, but that was what we foolishly did. ("Hey younger Andrew! Why didn't you compost!?")

I can also think about painful times of loss, death and stress. I distinctly remember scrounging around in my car for quarters to buy a little bit of gas to be able to hopefully make it home. I am sure that we can all think of dry times that are sad beyond tears. We would prefer to think of the veteran coming home safe, the new baby, the new job, the extra money...

God is with us in all times. This is the most powerful truth of Christmas. Even if this Christmas seems dry and unusual, it will highlight that Jesus was born into poorly timed and poor family. The stable isn't there to remind us of the cuteness of the animals, it is in the background to remind us of God's presence when things might seem like they are at their worst. The life and love of God persists without fail.

Psalm 126

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”

The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.

May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.

Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.

Dear Jesus,

We thank you for your abiding with us. We praise you for being with us through all times. Guide us this day to use our resources and energy more wisely, for your use and your goodness. Show us the details of generosity and place around us the softness of your comfort. Be with all those who are in a dry season right now. May our words, attention, and prayers be a source of encouragement. In your precious Name, we pray. Amen.