During the month of July, there were only 3 days that did not reach 100 degrees where I live.  I’m not complaining because I know that everywhere in the world has experienced hotter than normal temperatures, to the point where it has created a variety of problems.  I heard that in England, they do not have air conditioning, so this heat wave has caused many businesses to change their hours of operation or close temporarily to keep their employees safe.

I suppose it wouldn’t be so bad if there was also rain in the forecast, but the hot weather and no rain just makes the problems compound.  Specifically, where I live, the county is urging residents to conserve water and energy by limiting days when you can water your lawn and suggesting you turn off and unplug things that are not in use.  In an attempt to water as much as I can, that one day a week, I went to buy a soaker hose so I could water the ground along the foundation of my house to try to prevent cracks in the foundation.

The water levels in the lakes and rivers are way down which is having a negative effect on those small-town businesses that count on the summer boom of people floating the river.  I was looking forward to attending an annual Jet Ski Festival/Competition in a neighboring town, but it was cancelled due to low water.  I imagine that festival is one of those events the town hosts that brings in enough revenue to carry them and without that income, the negative effects can compound on people’s livelihoods.

Then, the low water levels also means that water is getting trapped, and the stagnant water is growing algae which adds a whole other layer of issues.  Places where people might gather around rivers and lakes to boat, ski, kayak, or paddle board, are now limited.  And the evaporating water leaves behind dried algae that really doesn’t smell very pleasant, not to mention some of the dead fish that were trapped.  It begins to look pretty dismal.

And the lack of rain and high temperatures aren’t just wreaking havoc on the rivers and lakes, but also the earth in general.  On my walks, I see places on the paths where the ground has cracked, and along the sidewalks the grass is pulling away from the edge of the concrete.  Some of the cracks have become so big that my foot could fit into the separation.  It reminds me of the scene in the animated movie, The Land Before Time, when the earth split, and a baby dinosaur is on one side and his mother is on the other.

The other day I passed a neighbor who said she was tired of this heat and was thinking of learning the rain dance to bring some relief.  Of course, this weather condition could quickly turn around and before you know it everyone could be worried and complaining about that there is too much rain causing flood conditions and damage.  This is a real concern in Texas because it doesn’t rain very much and when it does, it doesn’t soak into the earth, it rushes over it.  Flash floods are a legitimate concern in this area of the country.

I think there are many nuggets of wisdom in this real-world situation to teach about faith.  For one, it is to be grateful for whatever it is that comes your way today.  It might be too hot, it might be too wet, it might be too something, but there is goodness in it, no matter what.  Another is to look at it as a lesson in patience; to learn to wait on what you need.  Yet, another is to surrender, recognizing that you do not have control of the temperature or when it will rain, or any other type of weather catastrophe.

So for now, I embrace these lessons to be grateful, to be patient and to surrender.  In the meantime, I will give thanks for what I do have and to look at this time of desert conditions as a part of the restoration that is necessary for the earth to prosper.  Just as in my lifetime, I will endure many seasons, the earth must also as the earth’s creator is also my own.  And after all, this earth is a gift from God and the place I call home; so I choose to rejoice and be glad, even in the hard times.  The rain will come, remain faithful my friends!