Love Blooms In the Drought

By Sharon Ray

“You, O Lord, are served when chaos blends into a great ocean and becomes food for the life that swims there…” These are the words from the Daily Prayer of the Bodhisattva that keep coming to mind as love blooms in this drought. I have noticed that where there is no need, there is no room for a miracle; and where there is need for a miracle, there is also the opportunity to love.

The birds in my backyard must think it quite the miracle that this little woman, having seen their drought-driven hunger, comes out of her cottage every morning and gives them beaucoup seeds to eat. Not only this, but she gives them fresh water to drink and for those who are of a more yogic nature, they can bathe in the chill birdbath. Feeding the wee ones is such a delight, and I feel like Snow White when they don’t fly away at my approach and I can sing to them and encourage them to eat before the red-winged black birds arrive.

Even the red-winged ones are growing through this drought experience. I only had to police them for two mornings as a result of their bad manners. They were kicking out all the sparrows and taking over the banquet table for themselves. After two days of not allowing them to land, they have transformed. Now they come and say things like, “Excuse me,” and “I’m sorry – am I in your way?” They wear napkins and ask, “Could you please pass the salt?” So, everyone is eating in harmony, sharing. After all, it is the month of charity! (Sunburst’s teachings incorporate practicing twelve virtues, and the astrological month of Aquarius focuses on the virtue of charity. Learn more here.)

After many prayers for rain, I have taken instead to thanking God for the rains that I deeply trust He is going to send, saturating the earth with the wetness that saves life and renews it. This attitude of gratitude makes me hopeful and happy. It’s my new droughtitude.

Today our first rain shower has come. What a grace upon the land. I offered to walk my friend Patty to her car under the protection of my umbrella, but she wanted the rain to fall upon her. Yes, we are all rejoicing along with the deer, the cows, the crickets and the frogs who are singing with us:

The desert loves to drink in the rain;

It trusts she will come, again and again.

Lord, make my soul a land that’s lush and green,

A life Divine, shining in Your Being!