One thing we’ve learned about living in London is our perception about the weather wasn’t accurate.
Oh I know what you’re thinking. We probably weren’t realistic about the rainfall and cloud cover; the amount of cold, windy days when the sun is shining everywhere else.
Well, you would be wrong about that.
The weather is the talk of the town, no matter what the news tells you.
Today’s forecast is like a woman in her favorite store trying to decide which dress to pick from the five she is holding up. Or a child who says he’s going to play outside and then becomes distracted by the toys in his room on the way out.
The weather in England is a highly changeable mind; a mood you cannot predict.
When the sky is a gray bowl of cloud cover as the alarm goes off, close your eyes like Dorothy and click your ruby slippers a few times. The sun will appear and the wind calm to a whisper. Listen to the birds tell you when it is safe to come out and play for a while.
Like these beautiful white roses growing from the rooftop outside my second floor window, just out of reach, sometimes Sabbath involves relinquishing control over the things you can do nothing about.
When you are tempted to equate the beauty of life with usefulness, it is time to release your grasp on preferred outcomes and enjoy walking in the rain just because God created it.
Rain or shine this weekend, may your rest be a divine relinquishment; a road paved with His golden fingerprints.
Happy Sabbath Friends!
The irony: I took these photos this morning but while I was writing this, the sun was shining bright. Before I had a chance to capture those roses in sunlight to make my point, the rain descended once again and then stopped long enough to open my window and snap. Truth. The weather is never bored in England.
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That sounds like the pacific northwest where I live. you can have many seasons of weather in one day… always take a sweatshirt and dress layered. You never know what it might do.
We try to never leave the house without an umbrella (or brolly here) and a jacket Sharon. Sounds like you can relate.
Love the irony, and the teaching. And the encouragement to learn to rest in all situations… rain or shine
Lovely to see you here in the comments Kelly. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
London weather sounds like Melbourne weather… 4 seasons in a day ~! Amy always tells me she copes by layering clothes….. on/off.on.off guess that counts as exercise ? 😉 LOVE the white roses. 🙂
I grew up in a very changeable climate in Oklahoma. Four seasons a day is about right here in London.
I wish I could cut those roses and bring them inside Mary, they are decadent and profuse.
Once again your wisdom and way with words speaks intently to my heart: “Release your grasp on preferred outcomes and enjoy walking in the rain just because God created it.” Such a freeing thought! Thank you, Shelly!
Nancy, I hope all is well with you. Thinking of you today and praying that God will meet you with His sweet presence right where you find yourself.
In Santa Barbara, I’ve been heard to say, “if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” Yup, coastal communities (or riverside ones in the northern climes) are changeable. That’s why we love ’em.
Oh Santa Barbara is the bomb Diana, you are blessed to live in such a beautiful and amazing climate. I have fond memories of some time there.
As Ms. DT says below….Seattle is the same. We usually have to wait about 30 minutes, but change it does. And the wet is so worth it all when the green shows up.
Great post.
Wet IS so worth it when the green shows up. The best thing about inheriting someone else’s garden are the surprises that pop up through the soil. Every day there is a new gift awaiting me out there lately.