The Unexpected

Today it’s raining, which seems almost a downer because it is summer and so many of us love the dryness and warmth of the summer months. It is the time of the year when we purposely seek out waters, such as beaches, lakes, and streams allowing us to play in and cool ourselves off from the scorching hot days. No one wants rain in the summer because it keeps us trapped inside when there is so much outside to do.

Although we love the heat of the summer days, those of us in BC face some horrific consequences from the intense heat. BC, having lots of forest areas, suffers from severe dryness, and once manicured lovely grassy areas and trees turn brown; drying out and dying because of the rapid evaporation of the moisture from the intense heat beaming down. Due to this, fires are terrorizing the area. Several burning areas have destroyed many homes, and those fortunate enough to not have had their homes burnt down are facing evacuations because of the threat of danger. This uncertainty has left many filled with desolation and depression, and it is a sad thing to witness since so many people have lost the sanctuary of their existences, their homes.

Not only has the destructive fires made many homeless, but it has also caused several others to cancel their vacation plans to visit the beautiful wildernesses of BC. We have fire bans throughout the province, even in areas not immediately threatened by the fire, no usage of recreation vehicles, ATVs, dirt bikes, etc., and all this affects the economy because of the loss of monies in the tourism industry.

The disruption of vacationers visiting the areas and loss of play time in the forests not only produces a loss of income for the province, but just recently we found out there a ban on construction stopping the progress of development as well. We too, working on building our dream home, my husband and I are at the mercy of the raging fires, because the use heavy machinery also has been banned.

So, with all this going on, the rain we are receiving is a blessing although it is happening in the summer and keeping us locked away inside of shelters when we expected to be enjoying the outdoors. In a couple of months, winter will arrive again.

In all life, unexpected things arise, but who is to say that an interruption in our plans is a bad thing. The rain interferes with the enjoyment of the summer, but at the same time, it is supplying needed moisture back into the ground. We all have hopes it is curtailing some of the hostility of raging fires also.

We all have dreams and goals that we are reaching for, and sometimes our visions are so limited, we see only one way of achieving our ultimate desire; nevertheless, I have found that there is more than one way to reach God's plan for our life. If we experience an unforeseen rainfall, or event which alters our plans, we sometimes want to give up because maybe the obstacle seems too big for us to overcome. It is my belief, and that of others, that in these times, we must remember to look beyond the obstacle and patiently wait for God while the problem works itself out.

Like the rain falling in the summer, if we believe in God it WILL work out for our good. Although the trial might not be from God and sent to stop you by Satan, God is in control.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Hang on, keep dreaming and believing in God. Stay in prayer and faith and His will for our lives will come to pass. The falling rain might seem to interrupt God’s plan, but with patience and understanding the problem will work itself out for our best.

Psalms 91:14-15 (KJV) Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:

I will be with him in trouble;