He Set the Boundaries of the Earth

This weekend the weather in Iowa took an about-face toward winter. We've been stuck in a rainy fall gloom most of this month but yesterday the north wind came whirling, first with rain, then with snow flakes that started to gather on parked cars and in grassy patches.

Our hummingbird feeder appears deserted now; there's been no sign of the tiny little birds for two weeks. Instead, several blue birds were sighted on posts around our yard. Perhaps they were checking out the neighborhood as they moved through. The Canadian geese are returning to the Ankeny ponds and adjacent fields, and the ducks are passing overhead.

Saylorville Lake is at a record high for this time of year, with water covering most of the boat ramps, stranding many of the houseboats that typically are being removed for the winter. Creeks are running high and water is pooled in the unharvested farm fields. I can't help but be reminded that God is in control. Every fall image we see has God's fingerprints on it. The beauty of fall color and even the hurricanes show us God's power and strength rolled into storm cells that scream across the water till they slam onto land with torrential wind and rain.

Every sign in nature reminds us of you, O God. We stop and watch in awe, all that you have done and the many blessings that grace our life. Even as we grumble about the clouds and the cold, Lord, we know that your gifts to us far outweigh the challenges. We must focus on Your grace and mercy and thank you, O God.

"It was you who opened up springs and streams; you dried up the ever flowing rivers. The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter," (Psalm 74:15-17 NIV).

Tomorrow the warm sun will shine again and we will be happy, forgetting all the rain and disappointment. Our life will be joy-filled again and how quickly we will forget the wet, gray days. Forgive us Lord, for being so short-sighted and focused on the moment at hand. Forgive us for forgetting how wonderful Your Son is to us. God, thank You for sending Your Son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. Help us to focus on You, O God. In spite of the weather or our personal situations that give us grief, let us remember You, always.