California was home for so many years…my childhood memories and dreams had the golden hills and redwood forests as their backdrop. Now I call Colorado home. Both these states have tremendous natural beauty, and they also have a tendency to experience droughts and wildfires. I am no stranger to droughts, whether they be seen in nature, or felt in my soul. Many times I have cried out for God’s mercy to bring softening, healing, rain to the parched land and to my arid heart.

Two thousand years ago, a devoted follower of Jesus penned these words, “All creation has been groaning together.” This embraces the trees on the mountains as they explode in bursts of color, not from Autumn foliage, but from firestorms. I, too am part of this groaning and yearning for healing and beauty to be restored. The same follower mentioned above understood this as he wrote so long ago “That the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

As I watch the sky, and wait, I paint, I pray for Autumn rain to come singing to the soil. The music of raindrops, the delicious freshness in the air, all activate my senses to rejoice in the simplicity of gentle Autumn rain. Will you pray with me?

Prayer for Autumn Rain, oil on canvas, 24″x36″