day I can recall here in Jerusalem this year. That's probably because I spent last January/February in Rochester, NY. We missed the worst of the Jerusalem winter weather. Rochester had a record breaking, warm, virtually snow-less winter. It wasn't even as gray as usual. Here the rain is a blessing. The last time it rained was in April. There were a few sprinkles a couple times this month, but this rain brought real cleansing, drenching, refreshing rain. It is almost like the ground sighs in relief.
Several of our friends left the country late on Thursday night after a wonderful, yet exhausting tour with Eagles' Wings Watchman on the Wall tour of Israel. Apparently it rained in sheets delaying flights. So some of our friends missed connecting flights from JFK. But God has a plan in all of it, directing our steps and bringing multiplied blessings. I'm sure we will hear the heart warming stories later of divine connections due to the delays. They saw lots of our beautiful blue skys, which greet us most mornings, during their stay. I am not a morning person, but it makes it easy to praise God and thank Him for the day when you get up and look out at that awesome azure blue.
Here the orthodox sometimes dance in the streets on the first rains. The rains are a blessing in so many ways to this parched land. I wanted to take some pictures but I have been hit with a bit of a cold during this change of season. My husband went out, as he always does, for his daily walk, rain or shine and so I took some of his pictures to share with you. I can look out our window to the mirpeset and see my plants so happy to have clean leaves and breathing cool air again. When the blue sky appears again, everything will look refreshed and renewed.
Israel celebrates this season of first rains and harvest in their Sukkot or Feast of Tabernacles holiday. It is the most joyous time of year. It is especially refreshing this year after a summer of war and it's following political accusations. Israelis have been faced with new realities of their vulnerabilities. Our prayer is that the Lord will use all of it to draw them closer to Him, both as individuals and as a nation. There will never be peace in the middle east until Messiah returns, but there can be peace in the hearts of individuals through any war or storm if Jesus, or as they know Him, Yeshua, is the One in whom they trust. Lord open eyes that they may see You. Lord open hearts that they might respond to Your love toward them. Bless all who reside in this your Holy Land, Jew, Arab and those from the nations that are here to serve You or just to earn a living. Pour out your Spirit on all of us, as promised in the book of Joel. Lord, let it RAIN!!![to listen to the song playing in the background of this initial post click here]
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