We have been traveling in Israel, Cyprus, Ethiopia, and many other places for the last 11 months and have gotten used to a Mediterranean climate. There are many wonderful things about it …

The first thing is that I flat feel better in an arid climate. My sinuses dry up, my joints quit aching, my hair quits curling in the wrong places. Yes, I have to keep lots of creams on my skin, but that is small compared to the other stuff.

And my husband and I love the Mediterranean diet as well — olives and olive oil, fresh fruits and veggies, humus, tachini, pita bread, grilled lamb… we can’t get enough of it! And it is so healthy.

Now that we are back in the good ole USA for a time we are enjoying a few things about the lay of the land. The one thing that we desperately miss in the Mid East is rain. Right now it is the season that gets no rain at all. The day we left Israel Mt. Zion looked as dry and crusty as an ancient bone. Below is a close up of the side of the mountain. It looks like one tiny match would set the dried vegetation on fire.

The summers are so hot and dusty there. Yes, it cools down at night, which is lovely, especially in Jerusalem and the desert. But sometimes you just want rain to quench the dust and moisten the terrain.

But rain is not just for the physical. There is something in the soul of humankind that yearns for rain. It quenches something in the heart. Since being back in Texas it has rained every day we have been here, and it has been absolutely lovely. I heard it should rain again today! I can hardly wait… for the rain…

The real longing of my soul though is not for physical rain… it is for the rain of the Holy Spirit… the visitation of the presence of God. My parched soul longs for that more than anything.

Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. His going forth is prepared and certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.

~Hosea 6:3