The Weather Book

Deuteronomy 6:10-12 "When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you-a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant-then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." NIV

A number of years ago, I decided to keep a weather book. Each day I record the day and date and the outside temperature when I arise and then the next morning I add what the weather conditions had been for that day.

My family and I find it fun as well as enlightening, when we are griping about poor weather conditions, to look back and discover that they were often just the same a year or two, or three or more years ago at that very time. It goes to show, that our memories are perhaps not as good as we think they are. In fact we are quite good about forgetting.

I have also noticed that when the weather is good, the kind I prefer, I often forget to mark it in the weather book. I arise and the sun is shining and the sky is blue and the birds are singing and I just dive right into my day as the weather book sits neglected on the window sill.

Mmm, I thought as I opened the book one day to discover it had been three days since my last entry. How easy it is to forget you in the summer as compared to the winter when my first thought in the morning is, I wonder how cold and miserable it is today.

Likewise, these gaps in my weather book have reminded me how easy it is to forget to give praise and thanksgiving and time to God amidst the good times of life. I arise and everything is going hunky dory and I just dive right into my day, forgetting to acknowledge the One who has given such a day, the One whom I count on for wisdom and guidance, courage and strength each and every day. The One who has given me all kinds of good things I did not provide. The One who has blessed us with His word, the Book of Life that provides all we need to not only survive but to flourish amidst whatever weather the day should bring our way, mentally, physically, spiritually or economically.

So today, as we experience some of the glorious days of summer time weather, let us remember also the Giver of such days. Let us not forget the Lord who brought us up out of the darkness and slavery of sin, into the light of His freedom and goodness, through the glory of His Son Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for the good times in our life, the times of plenty and satisfaction. Bless us with good memories to remember You, the Giver of life itself, now and forever more. In Christ's name we prayer. Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.