Here in the Pacific Northwest we have experienced some interesting weather lately. Just yesterday we were driving outside the city and noticed SNOW in the foothills. Rob mentioned how beautiful it was - I quickly stated, "that's beautiful in November, December, January, February and maybe even the beginning of March - but today it's not beautiful". Not long after that we noticed a man driving his convertible down the freeway with his top down! Within moments the clouds opened up and it was pouring! Who does that!?! Maybe he thought, "If I want it bad enough and have faith the sun will shine"? Needless to say, he quickly found an overpass to park under and put his top up. Today the sun is shining beautifully, but the house behind us has frost on it's roof. The trees are blossoming and the daffodils have sprouted and bloomed - a miracle after all this Northwest spring rain!
In Thailand it is said that there are three seasons - hot, hotter and hottest. They are in the middle of "hottest" right now and coming upon the time of the Thai New Year celebration of Song Krang. Mango's and sticky rice are the stars of the season! This will be followed by "Hotter" which will also usher in the rain - badly needed for all that jasmine rice you love - but in too great of quantities everything is ruined. That was last year - I'm sure you heard about it. The rain didn't stop for months it seemed. You've noticed the higher prices on electronics? That's why. When November comes around we can count on temps cooling and changing into what is known as the "hot" season. We were blessed our first year living there when we woke up on Christmas morning and had to turn the fans off and put our sweats on. It was 68 degrees (at least for the morning). I believe it was the coolest day we had in our area of the country the entire 4 years we lived there.
For the most part we have faith that the seasons will come and change on queue. We know when the trees will blossom - when they will get their leaves and when the leaves will fall - leaving dry and barren branches for the winter with hope for spring to arrive and start the process again. Then a strange thing happens, snow falls in April or the rain, which normally falls for an hour and then stops, continues for days and we find ourselves in a bit of despair. We begin to question why? Some may chalk it up to "global warming", others may say "it's signs of the end of days and Christ's return"? God just wants us to know that it's His small way of making Himself known. In the midst of the snow - cherry blossoms and daffodils. In the midst of the rain - love and charity for those who are hurting and opportunities for Thai believers to minister in the name of the One True God.
Tomorrow we celebrate Easter! Jesus was crucified, died and was buried. He was separated from His Father for the first time ever to be the only worthy and final blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of our sins. Not a normal Passover for those who had traveled to Jerusalem for the feast and celebration - but we know that nothing would ever be "normal" for them again, because we know without a doubt that Jesus conquered that grave, rose from the dead and is even now sitting at the right hand of God the Father Almighty!
When all else seems strange and unsure...God is faithful. "So let us draw near (to God) with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:22-23 (parenthesis mine)
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