Desert Rain: Living Water in Unexpected Places

IF ALL OF LIFE WERE SUNSHINE

If all of life were sunshine,
Our face would long to gain,
And feel once more upon it
The cooling splash of rain.

Henry Jackson van Dyke

I was born in Kirkland, just outside of Seattle, WA. This fact alone is nothing special unless you consider my parents and siblings were all from Virginia. My childhood was spent playing from dawn to dusk in the city neighborhood of St. Charles, Missouri, followed by my formative teen years in southern Maryland. My wife Monica and I met in Northern Virginia where I owned my first home. Our daughter Delaney was born in Rittman, Ohio, and her sister Danica was born in Rockville, Maryland, five years later.

Glass-half-full readers will appreciate how adventurous my life has been, while glass-half-empty readers might look upon this never-putting-down-real roots as a challenge. I tend to view the volume of liquid in my glass as whatever God has provided, nothing more and nothing less — but my soul aches against this simplistic truth.

MY SOUL IS STILL SEARCHING

Thanks to blessings beyond what words can describe, we live in Tucson now. My daughters attend a Christian school and my wife no longer suffers debilitating pressure headaches every day. Hours upon hours of mowing the yard, raking the leaves, shoveling snow, or driving in inclement weather are of no concern here in the desert. I rise each morning with the light, anxious to stare at the ever-changing mountains as each peak slowly comes into focus while the sun travels across a pure blue sky.

Tan ridges and valleys turn orange as the sun sets to sleep in the west. The fireworks finale is held each evening as the sun disappears, exploding its prism of orange, pink, and yellow rays of light far into the atmosphere. We step outside this borrowed home almost every night to marvel at how God does it again and again. The photos we post online do not come close to conveying the in-person experience. The many stars in the clear sky grow brighter each hour. My soul is still searching.

WANDERING IN THE DESERT FOR 40 YEARS

I hadn’t written in a very long time, but when I did, I referenced 2 Corinthians as my favorite book in the Bible. There, Paul encourages readers that God’s grace is always sufficient and His power is strengthened in weakness. Our hardships and faith struggles have been well documented by my wife — but my private weakness (something I rarely share) is not trusting the Lord enough even after all I’ve seen Him accomplish. I feel like I have been left wandering in the desert for forty years fearing each day and what’s to come.

Every morning my last words to my girls as I drop them off at school are, “BE SAFE, BE SAFE.” Energized by the Tucson climate and a true chance to feel better, my wife is exploring more of her world. She ventures off to the grocery store, a Bible study, or the writing workshop she just began. When we sit and talk in the evening, I am always fearful she will tell me she’s twisted her neck or spine. I live just one breath away from her or Danica needing another surgery.

When most men my age have achieved success in their careers and may be thinking of retirement, I still need to update my job resume and plan for interviews. I’m faced with a feeling of shame and despair that I will never be able to provide fully for our complicated needs. When most families I know are secure in their homes and saving memories, I am stressed about where we will live when our current miracle runs out. We have seven months left in this house. My soul is restless.

DESERT RAIN – HIDDEN IN GOD’S HAND

All day today, desert rain has been falling. My wife has a headache, though it’s a Tucson headache, which means she can at least get out of bed — but her heart hurts where her shunt empties fluid. She is mostly running on adrenaline now. We will drive almost two hours away for her first Arizona infusion on Wednesday. Her autoimmune encephalitis/PANDAS/PANS symptoms are worse every day. She’s gone too long between treatments.

Medicare finally approved paying eighty percent of this very expensive drug. Driving far for health appointments is nothing new, but we feel the same dread every time. During the long six to eight hours while she receives her drip, I plan to study for a new technical certification with the hope that I can find yet another job to more adequately support my family. Even if a new job just means being able to add primary insurance for Monica, it will be better.

This morning, in Isaiah 49:2 we read …In the shadow of His hand He has hidden me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver He has hidden me. I feel like I have lived in the shadows most of my life. I’ve never seen them as protection or grace. Only since our move to Tucson have I gained the perspective of understanding all our hard  (as well as so much love) as a kind of holding or covering, maybe even safe hiding

But I’m tired. So tired.

My soul longs for rest.

SLAYING DRAGONS AND UNBOUNDED GRATITUDE 

Each morning I do what my father taught me. I wake up and slay dragons — and I do the next thing, one day at a time. I do not boast of my struggles, for when I am weak, for Christ’s sake, then I am strong. My gratitude for those who have walked with my family and me over the long years is unbounded. It is with deep appreciation that I strive forward.

SOOTHING DESERT RAIN 

A wandering soul was born in the west years ago.

Now when I see a shadowy cloud seemingly lost in the blue sky, I will remember it can be shelter.

When I feel the desert rain, I will understand it is the watering of a rooting soul at peace.

…In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, and made Me a polished shaft; in His quiver He has hidden Me. (Isaiah 49:2)

First published at monicakayesnyder.com, February 2019. Published with permission