Much of our local news and the talk in the neighborhood coffee shop has centered on the unexpected.
In fact, in the middle of last week’s 85 degree temperatures we were all laughing at our meteorologists’ assertions that we would see snow on this Easter weekend. A late April Fool’s day bit, perhaps? Even the news anchors were scoffing at the concept of a late freeze. It’s April in West Texas, for goodness sake!
But our annual Easter-egg hunt with our granddaughter was an inside affair yesterday. I’m sure some of the video I shot of Landye scurrying through the living room grabbing hidden treasures was framed with the constant floating of snow outside the window.
While we all adore perfect weather, I think we also love its unpredictability. It gives us something to talk about and presents adventure to our lives. We seldom get angry at the weather. After all, it’s a natural occurrence — and what could we do about it anyway?
Other periods of storm and calm circle around us. Not the kinds with sunny skies and spring rain — or even snow. Instead these times of widely variant and often unpredictable forces aren’t precipitated by high pressure ridges or the jet stream.
No, these unpredictable changes in patterns are in the relationships we have with others. I was surprised by one this week. Not a big thing. Hardly even noticeable by most. But a change in relationship that I don’t point out to others. Unexpected.
The challenge this week is moving on with the knowledge that the friendship has changed. To know that something I took for granted is not there. If it had been forecast in the middle of last week, I wouldn’t have believed it.
The unpredictable brings freshness. But it also brings fear and sadness.
Do you think that Jesus’ followers scoffed at His prediction of the cross? And then when it happened, do you think they rejoiced in the unpredictable?