The Frustrations Of Unpredictable Weather

I have found the inconsistencies and unpredictabilities of the recent weather forecasts irritating.  Where snow is concerned, I want to know if I can get excited about it or not.

 

I'm not interested in "maybe" or "possibly" so far as the weather is concerned.  I don't want a percentage of the likelihood of snow or rain or sleet.  I want the actual facts.  I want to know what to expect.

 

Guessing is no use to me.

 

It's a bit like in one of Michael McIntyre's sketches where he says how whenever you ask someone for the time, if they don't know, they will still guess.  I think it's about three.

 

He says, I didn't ask you to guess the time.  I can do that myself.

 

Similarly, I don't need a weather forecast to guess the weather.  I can do that myself.

 

I appreciate that predicting the weather isn't that straightforward or predictable, so no matter how much I want to know for definite what the weather is doing, that won't happen.

 

Still, it would be useful wouldn't it? 

 

You'd know what shoes/coat to wear.  You'd know whether to bother straightening your hair or, more importantly, not to waste time straightening it if it is soon to face the rain.

 

It would make planning for life much easier.

 

But unfortunately, it is not possible.

 

I suppose the weather forecast is an act of faith: will we believe it or not? 

 

Similarly, our walk with God is an act of faith: I don't always know what's going to happen in my life.  I am not perfectly prepared for every eventuality.  But I don't need to be when I'm trusting in God.

 

Faith isn't so much about what you can see, but about what you choose to see and about who you trust to show you.

 

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

 

[Hebrews 11:1 NLT]
 

I will never get the perfect weather forecast that tells me exactly what I want to know.  There will always be an element of faith and trust involved.  And, this side of heaven, I will never get to know for sure what God is planning on doing in my life - I will never have the perfect 'life forecast'. 

But whilst I don't know what might happen, I know the One who knows.  And that's enough for me.

 

 

 

 

 

False Start

As someone who is ever-hopeful for snow, the weather forecast for this weekend has left me feeling rather excited. 

 

However, whilst I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of the white stuff, I heard an article on the radio yesterday about the problem that this sudden cold weather will cause to lots of wildlife.  Apparently with the recent milder weather, the birds and the bees have been mistaking the season for the beginning of spring and have been starting their spring-time activities.  What's more, there are many flowers and blossoms blooming in fields and gardens, which will be killed off if it snows.

 

This cold weather will come as a bit of a shock.

 

Life can be a bit like that too.

 

Sometimes we feel sure that we have turned a corner, that spring is on the way.  Things in our lives seem to be finally working out, our lives seem on track.

 

And then the snow comes.  Winter returns.

 

A false start.

 

It is always difficult to pick ourselves back up again after a fall or to continue after a disappointment.  When we fail and fall, it is difficult to try, try, try again.  Instead, we feel like giving up.  Like curling up and hiding and not bothering anymore.

 

But the Bible says that when we fall, God will always pick us back up.  And with His strength, we can continue.

 

        "If the Lord delights in a man's way,

        he makes his steps firm;

        though he stumble, he will not fall,

        for the Lord upholds him with his hand."

 

        [Psalm 37:23-24 NIV]

 

 

We may fall and endure many Winters, but Spring will always come again.