We see it as something that just lies on the ground dispensing water to vegetation, humans or animals that are thirsty.  It doesn’t get to choose where it lies…. Sometimes it is stretched through thickets of sharp thorns or burrs, sometimes over jazzed, hard rocks, sometimes over soft, velvety grass.  It lies willingly where it is placed.  Never does it struggle to move to softer ground.  It lies baking in the hot sun, its relief coming when cool water flows through it.  In the deep cold of winter it lies frozen and stiff awaiting the relief that comes when warmer water from the source flows through it once again.

• Oh my Beloved Lord!  Make me as the garden hose!
• Give me the strength to surrender to where I am placed be it on the soft grass or the painful terrain.
• Give me the willingness to remain there without struggle until I am moved by You.
• Give me the courage to bake completely in the fires of Your purification.
• Give me the patience to endure the cold, dark illusion during those times I feel forsaken by you.
• Give me a loud voice to proclaim Your praise when I feel the warmth of Your Presence and Love flowing through my being.
• Give me a loud voice to proclaim that You were there all the time and that, in truth, I was not nor have I ever been forsaken by you.

Oh Lord, Allow me to be Your garden hose. 

Allow me to surrender to where You place me so that I may dispense Your Love to Your thirsty creation.