It is raining, again. There is nothing better than sitting inside and quietly listening to the falling rain outside. It can be a very peaceful sound. Sure, sometimes it is accompanied by rushing winds and thunder claps, but tonight it is just rain.
Tonight the Bible opened to Hosea:
“Come, let us return to the LORD, For it is he who has torn, but he will heal us; he has struck down, but he will bind our wounds.
He will revive us after two days; on the third day he will raise us up, to live in his presence. Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD; as certain as the dawn is his coming.
He will come to us like the rain, like spring rain that waters the earth.”
Hosea 6:1-3
The rain sounds even better now! I read a little further:
What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your loyalty is like morning mist, like the dew that disappears early. For this reason I struck them down through the prophets, I killed them by the words of my mouth; my judgment shines forth like the light. For it is loyalty that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:4-6
Loyalty. Knowledge of God. That is what He asks. And isn’t that what we ask of our friends? Loyalty and to know us?
God,
I want to know you. Rain down on me. I want to be faithful to you. Help me when I fall astray. I never want you to stop calling me back. I want to come to you with all my heart.
Sufficient Grace 
What beautiful scripture and perfect for this season of rain – April showers bring May flowers!. He has brought so much life to us hasn’t He! How beautiful He is like the flowers the rain brings us! As I read this, especially the second half – Your loyalty is like the morning mist, like the dew that disappears early. How guilty I am of this. So many Sunday mornings I got to mass and am so moved, so close to Jesus. And I love him so strongly, and sing his praises. Unfortunately, I sometimes then leave the mass and it doesn’t take me long to forget. I lose myself in my daily chores, or the frustrations I come upon with my family, or into the sports I watch on the TV. Sometimes I feel as if I’m sacrificing for God or giving burnt offerings. But in reality, sometimes those sacrifices are actually the easy way. I might sacrifice a little money and time making a meal for the homeless shelter. Easy, quick, done! Now I can watch the movie or the game. That’s what I’m supposed to do right? I have sacrificed some money to buy the ingredients. I have sacrificed my time and missed an inning of the ball game. I have fed the hungry. Sometimes these things bring me to know God. But if I’m completely honest, sometimes these things are so much easier than telling my sister that I’m sorry. Sometimes it’s so much easier than going to confession. Sometimes it’s so much easier than taking the time to pray. Sometimes it so much easier than reading the Bible.
Dear Lord,
I want to be loyal to you. I want to be your loyal servant. Please help me see the truth of my actions and to remember what Your desire is of me. Help me to increase my knowledge of you so that I can get to know you better. Lord, let my loyalty be like the rains that drench the earth to bring new, beautiful life! Let my desire to be your loyal servant to become a difficult sacrifice so that I can appreciate all of Your sacrifice, that mine will never compare. Let my sacrifice be the result of my loyalty and love I have for You. So that one day, the beauty of my messy life can bloom like the most beautiful flower you have ever created and all will see your beauty.
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