One of my FAVORITE places is Edmonds Beach,WA. I love the sound of the waves slapping against the rocks, I love the ferries floating towards the opposite shore, green trees on the hills, blue mountains in the background, and the gorgeous oranges and reds of the setting sun.
Washington rain is not always welcomed, but you can sing in it. And it makes things grow and it gives us our various shades of lively greens and blues.
While living in California I was not separate from the water. How, you ask? For several reasons:
First, the sun is WONDERFUL.
Second, the Pacific Ocean WITH the sun is just minutes away.
Third, California has a (though brief) rainy season. (My Western Washington friends and I would always have a “first rain dance” to celebrate its coming.)
Fourth, my parents’ homeland was stationed in Washington, thereby giving me PLENTY of access to water on each homecoming.
Now that the Lord has stationed me in Ohio…I am away from the water. Without realizing it, I had been pining for the water.
My first few days here the clouds were out, but they held no rain. I began to be frustrated with them. I had no idea why I was frustrated. Everything around me just looked dry and dusty. The red and orange leaves were nice, but they weren’t VIBRANT. That is when I realized the truth of the Proverb, "Whoever falsely boasts of giving is like clouds and wind without rain." (25:14) No good.
When the pounding rains and thunderings of the tornado blew through I was delighted! (I suppose I could liken my reaction to the “first rain” dances in California.) With the coming of that rain exploded shades of green and blue. The rain made the reds POP out and made the oranges seem wonderfully lively.
Today, it looks like a wonderful California sky. The sun is out, it’s 69*, and there's not a cloud in the sky.
When I went for a walk around the lake after the storm, I was puzzled as to why I was so intrigued by the lake. I just wanted to stand by it, look in it, touch it, and listen to the “waves” lap up onto the rocks.
After running and leaping around the lake for a bit, and snapping pictures as I could, I realized why I have such a love for this lake: I need water.
And GUESS WHAT GUYS?!?!!
The Lord knew it!
Before I knew my need, the Lord had already planned to meet it. He met it through the lake, through the heavy rain of the tornado, and through the beautifully cloudless days He has given.
How delightful.
Romans 5:8, "BUT GOD demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us."
[Before we knew our need -- He met it. Praise Him for His mighty acts! Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!!! Let everything that has breath PRAISE THE LORD!! (Psalm 150)]
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