How is it possible to have too much of a good thing?

I don’t know, but this summer it certainly seems that it’s true.

Just yesterday, I was having a discussion with my neighbor about the weather.  We were discussing the abundance of rain this summer.  Last summer we experienced a major drought, but this summer has been the opposite with almost daily rainfall.  It seems like a perfect summer in many ways.  Flowers are blooming; everything is green, homeowners are not having to water lawns.

But ask a farmer what he thinks.  For one, the peach crop is not as good. Too wet.  The melons (which love water) are rotting, and the tomatoes are suffering blight.

Mosquitos are abundant, and the gnats are reminiscent of the third plague of Egypt.  The frog population is certainly happy– and multiplies, just like the second plague of Egypt!  Oh no!

Ballgames are being rained out, fireworks shows are being cancelled, and flash flood warnings pop us daily on our smartphone weather apps. Last year, I would have begged for this much rain.  But this year, I’m wishing for dry weather.  What gives?  Is it global warming?  Is it global wetting?

No. It’s a sign to me that I am NOT God.  If I had my way, I would have already messed up the earth permanently.  The pendulum would have swung from one extreme to the other based on my knee-jerk reactions.  Only the Creator understands the balance of what we need and when we need it.  One giant reason that things are not always Disney-perfect in the natural world is that we live in a world that bears the burden of human sin.  The Bible says the earth groans for relief, just like we do.

In an imperfect world, I cannot bring perfection.  I can’t even bring relief!  But trusting God in the midst is the greatest hope of all.  I cannot control the weather, but I can pray– and in doing so, I become much more dependent on my Creator, who will surely take care of me.  During last year’s drought, we prayed about the weather.  And God answered.

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”   He’s in control, not me– and He’s never OUT of control.  I will put my trust in Him– even for the weather.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  

Matthew 6:31-34