So the rains continue to pour down at Honey Lake and it seems as though no end is in sight. People are discouraged and tired of the depressing gray skies, flash floods, rumbling thunder and dangerous lightning.
Ahhh, but I remember not too long ago when the drought was ravishing Honey Lake with sweltering heat; all the ponds were drying up, crops were withered, tongues were hanging out and panting, and the land was parched. I distinctly remembering saying, “I wish the heck we could get some rain”.
Well we got some rain all right. Now I wish the heck I hadn’t opened my mouth . . . I’m not griping about anything more Lord, I promise.
The fact of the matter is that soon enough change will occur whether we gripe and moan or not. Nothing is forever and if you don’t like things the way they are right now, then just cool your jets for a while and be patient, because change is inevitable and is right around the corner.
Yep, the rains will cease and that big beautiful red ball, (the sun), will shine again and we can bask in it with eyes half closed as we enjoy its warmth and it quickly dries the soggy terrain. Then it will get too warm again and we’ll probably cry for relief again in spite of ourselves and so it goes.
Our existence on this earth reminds me of the struggles of the Jews. Beginning with their bondage as Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt; their cries could be heard by God in heaven and He decided to have mercy on them. Sure enough He came to the rescue and miraculously freed them and took them to the desert and they were off to visit the Holy Land. He gave them everything they needed on the trip, but they griped and griped. I can just hear them now, “I’m sick of eating manna every day, this stuff tastes like crap; I want some meat”.
God sighed with exasperation and gave them some quail for a new entree; it wasn’t enough. They griped again and again. He gave them pure water; it wasn’t enough. He gave them shoes and clothes that didn’t wear out, everything they needed and still they griped and griped.
He gave them His Holy Word in a meeting with Moses, and meanwhile back at the ranch, they not only griped about Moses taking so long in receiving God’s “Big Ten” (Commandments), they made a golden calf, worshipped it, and conducted an orgy.
Yikes!
God finally got angry and refused to allow them to enter His land of “milk and honey”. All of those slaves that He freed from bondage ended up wandering through the desert for forty years until every last one of them died out except for two of His faithful.
So what to make of all of this on this fine fourth of July weekend?
Hmmm . . . I don’t think I’ll be gripping about the weather or much of anything else. Lord let it rain and I’ll read, sleep, watch some DVD’s and catch a movie or two, or let it shine and I’ll go outside and frolic in the sun and pop a firecracker or two or three.
Please just do whatever fits Your schedule . . . Let it rain – Let it shine – I’m just fine.
Thank you God for allowing me to live in this great land of changing seasons . . .
Eccl. 3:1
There is a season for everything,
and a time for every event under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to search, and a time to give up searching;
a time to keep, and a time to discard;
a time to tear, and a time to mend;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.