The tide is out and the water lies perfectly still under the heavy, grey air, as if waiting, surrendered, for the blessing to be given.  One drop and then another, and a million drops make a million circles, all reaching out to touch one another, and the surface that was still is calm no longer.

Sometimes receiving the gift can unsettle even as it fills.

I can’t judge a gift’s goodness by the ripples.

I have forgotten the umbrella and this jacket doesn’t have a hood and it doesn’t matter because I want to receive every drop of the blessing that is being poured out. Sometimes it makes the legs slow with clinging jeans, and sometimes the cheeks are wet with salt rising to meet his living river. But He is always only good and He only ever gives good and we may not see until heaven how He is working it all together but there is always the choice to look up.

The grass is greener in the damp dullness. Creation lifts a brave face and find herself crowned with tender mercy.

“Give thanks to the LORD for he is good. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:1)