When the grass isn't all that's dry

by Kathy Bridge

Our spring in New England was unusually wet. It seemed like every day brought more nourishment to plant life, more puddles to plod through and more damp days to watch old movies and fall asleep to the sound of rain beating on the roof. The grass was growing at record speed; trees and flowers were blooming without the need for Miracle Grow. The spring colors were brilliant; you just needed windshield wipers to see them.

With a blink of the eye our wet days of spring moved quickly into the hot days of summer. We joked that the New England calendar went January, February, March, March, March, July. Interestingly, even with all the rain we experienced in the spring, under the glaring sun of summer, the beautiful foliage began to wither, flowers needed the aid of a water bucket, and the grass began to burn in spots. Windshield wipers were no longer needed, but sprinklers were.

How quickly and dramatically the weather can change. How quickly and dramatically life can change too. This past year I experienced my own torrential downpour followed by a dry spell. The normal showers of life included a child in school, single parenting during the week while my husband traveled for work, and my service as Director of Women’s Ministry at my church. My days were full without much room for change. But change was in the air. Not understanding why, I felt God calling me to step out of my position, a job I loved. Just three short days later my sister-in-law ended up in the ICU. For over 50 days we kept vigil not knowing if she would live or die. During this same time my mother-in-law moved in with us so we could care for her needs. It was my deepest desire to be helpful during this time, but I needed more than windshield wipers for these rains, I was drowning.

After my sister-in-law and mother-in-law went back to their respective homes, life settled down. But even with the floods subsided and the sun back in my personal orbit, I found myself dry. I had exhausted all reserves, physically, mentally and spiritually. The grass wasn’t the only thing that was dry…I was.

My body was exhausted, my spirit was weary, and I had nothing left. I needed to tend to my own need for nourishment. John 7:37 says, “…If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” Jesus always satisfies. I have spent the last several months soaking up time with friends, sopping up family fun and savoring time alone with God. He has restored my strength and revived my soul. Today, the grass is the only thing that is dry.

Kathy Bridge is the founder and president of Every Woman, Every Day Ministry, a ministry that desires to empower, encourage and equip women in their everyday lives by helping them focus their energy on a loving God who desires to walk beside them through each day. This internet based ministry providing daily devotionals and empowering information for women to regain balance and spiritual perspective will be starting up in the Fall 2011. Along with this new ministry venture, Kathy enjoys speaking, writing, teaching and any other opportunity to help women regain their footing in a world that is off kilter.

Kathy, her husband Keith, and their daughter Abigail live in Massachusetts with their very spoiled dog, Bella.