Thanks, God, for the weather

My niece just turned eleven a few days ago. I had a gift for her, but my sister has been too overwhelmed lately with wedding dresses (she is a fashion designer, so sews for people) and vacation planning to plan a get together for family. So I planned a short gathering at a local state park so that my niece got her gifts, and hopefully felt at least a little honored!

This morning on the way out of church the sky to the west was filled with grey, looming clouds. Oh, no! Should I call everyone to cancel the gathering, or try to move it indoors – but where? The park was on hour north of my house, in the middle of farmland. My sister’s house is only 10 minutes from the park, but she definitely did not want visitors, which is why I planned it at the park in the first place.

I decided to take to heart the sermon that was preached last Sunday, that God has given us all authority to do his will. I realized that I didn’t know for sure that it was His will to have a birthday gathering for my niece at the state park. But since I know that God wants people to gather together to honor one another, I decided that I would command the weather, in Jesus name, to behave itself until the gathering was over. I did add, “if it is your will, Jesus.”

It was chilly and foreboding as we drove north, several hours later. But halfway to the park, my kids opened the car windows, and I noticed that it was definitely warmer and the clouds seemed to be staying south. By the time we got to the park, I no longer needed one of my jackets and the sky was nearly cloudless.

By the time my sister’s family arrived at the celebration, it was downright warm requiring me to shed my other jacket. We had cupcakes, watched my niece open gifts, then walked down to the river, where the five kids played at the beach and us adults lazed in the sun for several hours. It was perfect.

Just as it was time to leave to find some dinner, the wind started picking up and the clouds started rolling in. I couldn’t help but smile!