The Shadow of Your Wings

They say, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait a minute.” That may be said in other states as well, but it is a truism here. I mentioned in a recent post that we had snow in April last year. (Snow at ALL is very unusual in our area, but in April? After everything is in bloom? Very odd for “these parts.”) This year we’ve been flashing hot to cold and back again worse than .. well, worse than I do!

Our thermometer has twitched and tossed between the 35 degree mark and the upper 90’s for the past month, the ground is dry as toast with grass already crackling underfoot. The trees are balking, the lawn greening then browning as the cold wilts the tender growth, or the sudden heat scorches it. Humans dare not go out in more than a short sleeved shirt with a heavy sweater in tow. Fickle is what it is. Fickle and frustrating. (But, bless the Lord!, we've gotten some much needed rain in the past few days!)

We’ve had to replant several 6 packs worth of annuals, yet the tomato plants are hip high with fruit hanging. Our plum trees are struggling to leaf out, only one of our two pears has even blossomed, but the peaches are already big as a man’s thumb. How is one to create a productive garden without co-operation from “nature?” A farmer I could never be. The aggravation alone would do me in.

The whole mess makes me consider the “weather” within my own spirit. The gauge jumps from hot to cold, new growth shrivels, weeds abound … How does the Lord of (my) nature contend with me? Surely I frustrate Him with my fickle ways as He tries to eek living out of my poor soul's soil. I might argue that He is the One who controls the temperature and the rains. He could easily rebut that I need to do some serious ground prep. In truth, as I look at what is doing well in these gardens it seems that those things that are in pots or raised beds, all soils amended to meet the needs of the plantings intended, are doing fairly well - regardless of the extreme fluctuations of temperature.

I’ve always wondered at Paul’s words about one planting, one watering … Who prepared the ground? Who did the tilling, removed the rocks, broke through the shale and caliche to bring in the good soil? (Yes, we very often have to purchase and haul dirt onto this rocky land - and to add insult to injury, pay taxes for it!)

Whether my spirit will weather a dry spell or not is as dependent upon the season and work of preparation as the gardens are. Have I “amended” the soil with the rich loam of the Word? Have I turned over the fallow fields in prayer? Sharpened the plow's blade with praise and thanksgiving? Did I capture the water when the heavens opened in the cistern of my heart, holding it there for use in the dry times?

Or do I let the “whethers” determine my weathering ability? “Whether” the right songs were sung during worship time; “whether” the pastor took the moment to lean across the pew to chat with me; “whether” God answers our prayers for rain (spiritual as well as physical) or not; “whether” my friends, or children, call or write …

How fickle am I? And who is responsible for preparing the soil to endure the season?

Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. Hosea 10:12

Implied “you.”

Oh, that’s me!

oohhhh … hoe, hoe, hoe

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