Thursday evening, for the #FiveMinuteFriday free write, Kate Motaung shared the word rain as the prompt. The first thing that came to mind was a poem I wrote awhile back called Sometimes Rain Is… I’ll share it with you here and then continue with some thoughts on how words are like rain.
Sometimes Rain Is…
Sometimes rain is quiet
like feathers falling
gently to earth.
Sometimes rain is loud
like thundering giants
pounding the roof.
Sometimes rain is steady
like marchers in rhythm
never missing a beat.
Sometimes rain is sporadic
like children at play
as they run skip laugh sing yell.
Sometimes rain is soothing
like droplets of water
caressing a parched tongue.
Sometimes rain is fierce
like a mighty lion
devouring its prey.
Sometimes rain is welcomed.
Sometimes rain is shunned.
Always rain is wet.
~gsw~
Words Like Rain
Our words can be like rain – gentle, fierce, nourishing, drowning, in rhythm or chaotic.
My friend, Peggi, and I are continuing with our study of the fruit of the Spirit, which I wrote about in the post Joy: Expression Through Art and Friendship. Our study has been a little sporadic as we’ve had sickness or busy schedules, but last week we talked about gentleness.
A verse that came to my mind when I thought about gentleness was Proverbs 15:1:
Proverbs 15:1 (CSB)
A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.
Peggi had looked up some scriptures about gentleness. Here is one of the verses she shared which is from a song of Moses:
Deuteronomy 32:2(CSB)
Let my teaching fall like rain
and my word settle like dew,
like gentle rain on new grass
and showers on tender plants.
As we pondered the words we could imagine the refreshment of gentle rain and the morning dew.
We agreed that wanted our words to be gentle and refreshing like that rain.
Our speech can accomplish a lot more if it is seasoned with gentleness, though sometimes it is very hard. I decided to write the verse in my journal along with the ones surrounding it:
Deuteronomy 32:1-4(CSB)
Pay attention, heavens, and I will speak;
listen, earth, to the word from my mouth.
Let my teaching fall like rain
and my word settle like dew,
like gentle rain on new grass
and showers on tender plants.
For I will proclaim the Lord’s name.
Declare the greatness of our God!
The Rock – his work is perfect;
all his ways are just.
A faithful God, without bias,
he is righteous and true.
Moses wanted his words to touch the hearts of the hearers and nourish them like rain nourishes the earth. He wanted them to remember just how great and powerful God is. Yet He is always faithful and true, a God whose works are perfect, a God who shows no favoritism.
This great God whom Moses proclaimed to the Israelites is the same God who loves and cares for us.
Like Moses, I pray that my words will be “like gentle rain on new grass.” I want to speak truthfully and gently with encouragement not only to those I see every day, but to those who read my words online.
May God use my blog to refresh others as I share my words, photos and art, and also bring glory to Him.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #porchstories, #TellHisStory, #TuneInThursday, #HeartEncouragement, #BVNetworkParty
A Little Background
I wanted to give a little background for the verses I quoted from Deuteronomy 32. In Deuteronomy 31, I read that Moses was stepping down as leader and Joshua would take over. God also told Moses he would die, but there were things Moses needed to say to the people. He wrote words of the law so that all would be able to know the law and fear God.
Before he died he wanted to speak to the people, so he called on heaven and earth to witness the words he would bring to them. The people frustrated Moses, because they rebelled and ignored God, even though He had been so good to them. Besides reminding them of God’s greatness and faithfulness, Moses admonished them and gave warnings. You can read it all in Deuteronomy 32.
Gayl, this is so beautiful! I love being able to hear and see the rain falling on your mountains there. And, yes Lord, let me speak words that are like the gentle rain also. I love how God’s Word falls like rain in all of its different aspects: He is such an awesome and holy God, and His Words pierce and thunder sometimes. But always, His gentle heart of compassion and mercy flows over us all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful poem, and for stirring my heart to rest in the gentle rain of His Spirit tonight. Love, hugs, and blessings to you my dear friend!
Thank you so much, Bettie! Your comments always encourage me. I’m so glad to be of help to remind you to rest in God. Blessings to you with much love and lots of hugs! xoxo
Thanks for these beautiful refreshing words. I love the rain,specially after a period of drought.
Thank you, Lisa! I love rain, too, most of the time. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but it is also very welcome after a drought. Blessings and love to you!
I Love the way you approached this, Gayl. There is a depth here that is awesome.
Wow, thank you, Andrew! You are an encouragement to me. Blessings and love to you and Barb!
Sharing your beautiful post, Gayl. <3 Have a blessed and beautiful week, my friend. xo
Thank you so much, Bette! Blessings and love to you! xo
Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the power of words. I want my words to be gentle and refreshing. Thank you for your encouragement.
Thank you, Liz. I appreciate your comments and I’m have to have encouraged you. Blessings to you! May God help our words to be gentle and refreshing.
Such a rich post, Gayl – your poetry, and the reflections on the Bible passages. I especially appreciated those words from Deuteronomy.
Thank you so much, Jeannie. Your words have encouraged me tonight! May God bless and have a great week!
Dear Gayl,
Your words here ARE “gentle like soft, refreshing rain” to me! I am continually blessed by your words, and by you! The poem you begin with, and the following tweet, describe how our words can come out, just like the rain! I want my words to be spoken with a gentle spirit, and be a blessing to others! Always!
I also loved hearing and seeing the gentle rain from the view on your porch! Beautiful!
I love you!
Thank you!
Dear Peggi,
Thank you so much! You know you are also a blessing to me. I’m so glad we are studying the Bible together, even if it is at a distance from each other. I’m glad you enjoyed the rain video. 🙂 Many blessings to you and much love! xoxo
I love the link you make between the different types of rain and the ways we use our words. It’s a great reminder that our words should be like gentle rain, bringing refreshment to those who hear them.
Thanks, Lesley! I pray that our words will be like gentle rain, too. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting.
This summer has been hot and dry (by Maine standards!), so I’ve really paid attention to rain and all its many moods whenever it comes! Thanks for thinking about this so beautifully.
When the weather is hot and dry, we really appreciate when rain finally come, don’t we? Thanks for your encouraging comment. Blessings to you, dear Michele! xo
Gayl, I loved the imagery you brought through poetry. I used the same verse from Deuteronomy so I appreciated this post very much. Blessings!
Thank you so much, Joanne! I’ll have to check out your post, too. Blessings to you! Thank you for your encouragement.
Love this post, poem and profound thoughts you weaved from the metaphor of rain, Gayl! Bravo! You hit this one out of the park! Sharing!
Beth, thank you so much! Your comment is so encouraging. Thank you, too, for sharing. Blessings to you!
Beautiful thoughts, Gayl (and a beautiful poem). It’s taken me a long time to learn that words filtered through my Father always work better than words I just blurt out.
Thank you, Anita! It’s a hard lesson to learn and I often fail and just blurt out something. But God is faithful. He forgives and is teaching me. Blessings to you!
I think that is a great way to minister to others, very refreshing.
Thank you, Rebecca. Yes, it is very refreshing. Thanks so much for visiting. Blessings to you!
I need some gentle words right now. Thanks for an awesome post.
Amy, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. May God grant you rest and gentle words of healing and peace. Blessings to you! Thanks for your encouragement here.
Beautiful! Love your poetry, and your devotional. Write on, sister!
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, Kim! Blessings to you!
Gayle, hi! This has been a soft, gentle rain day, the mist drifting by the upstairs windows.
Sweet relief …
Linda, I love the sound of gently rain with the mist that often appears. Yes, sweet relief. Thanks for visiting today. Blessings to you!
Thanks for sharing your poem. Very nicely written.
I woke up to heavy rain this morning and it made me feel cozy in bed. 🙂
Thanks for the great application related to our words.
Blessings,
Thank you, Karen! I love listening to rain while in bed. It does make me feel cozy. 🙂 Blessings to you!
Gayal, If we want people to respond to us and listen to us, our words need to like gentle rain. Working on this. Not always easy, but the rewards are better relationships.
Yes, Theresa, it can be very hard sometimes to be gentle in our speech. I know I fail often, but God forgives and knows our hearts. And I agree, better relationships often come when we are gentle. Blessings to you!
The sound of a gentle rain is so soothing. Thank you for ‘your beautiful poem. You described rain perfectly.
Thanks so much for your encouraging comments, Mary! Have a wonderful week. Blessings to you!