Hidden Gifts and Blessings in the Drought
It’s hot here in Arkansas. The temperatures have hit 100 degrees. It’s humid and there has been no significant rain. No rain forecast in the near future.
I have been feeling uncomfortable. Even though I am somewhat comfortable with air conditioning and fans, something was bothering me.
The news was full of pain, pictures of the parched earth, animals searching for food, farmers selling cattle because they do not have enough food for them. I felt very sad and helpless.
In my meditations and readings I came across the phrase, “take the opportunity to see everything you touch, see and feel as the Divine speaking to you.” I practiced listening for a few days.
And then I found a link to an article and video by Sufi teacher Lewellyn Vaughn Lee. Here is an excerpt:
“We hear the cry of the world and we respond to that cry.”
Creation itself is now calling to us, sending us signs of its imbalance. If we acknowledge our sacred role as guardians of the planet we will see the power of our prayers, our capacity to reconnect the earth just as we have cut it off. We are the connection between the creator and the creation. This is the special role of human beings.
“In our prayers and devotions, we need to reconnect with the sacred substance in creation. We need to place the earth within our hearts, and nourish it with our love, and offer it in remembrance of God.”
The next day, as I was washing spinach in the salad spinner, I thought that I could take this rinsed water out to the bushes in the front yard. I also collected the rinse water (contained no shampoo or soap) from the shower. I was concerned that I would not be able to lift the bucket, but I felt energy flow through me as I guided the bucket, two inches off the floor and out to the bushes.
I felt a beautiful deep connection to the bushes. This pleased me very much as I had not felt strongly connected to my yard. There are no trees in my yard and few in the area. I have always felt a strong connection to trees. There is a 10 foot strip of grass on each side of the house and a small 3 foot slope in the back of the house that ends at a fenced off gully.
Since the drought, there was no need to mow the grass and beautiful wildflowers, chicory, thistle and wild daises, grew up on the back slope as well as tall grass. The swaying grass and flowers enticed my cats out to play.
And just as I felt the magical connection start to slip away, there was a post by Kimberly Toller of the Northwest Arkansas Center for Spiritual Living -
“During times of challenge, what you have faith in is what determines what the challenge will turn into. Have faith in the reality of the challenge, and it will birth more challenges. Have faith in the reality of miracles, and the challenge will transform into something else.” ~Marianne Williamson
