(I know it’s not good form to capitalize the names of God or His pronouns, but I can’t bring myself to not)

Before too long the summer heat will sweep in and if the plants aren’t in the ground many will wither. So, it’s imperative in this small window of time, while the soil is not too cold and wet to rot the seed and too hard and dry to grow anything, we ‘open’ the garden. In the meantime, wind advisories are in play almost daily and I don’t like to play in the wind.

Guess, what? In real life, on this homestead, it doesn’t really matter what my personal preferences are. Chickens and turkeys still need feed and water. Barn cats need checking on. Cattle need water and protein pellets and fresh forage. Bees need checking on. Dogs need exercise, food and water. Eggs need collecting. And, yes, the garden needs tending.

I imagine some folks might think it’s laughable at my quandry. It’s chilly and windy but by chilly I mean high 60s and low 70s. I reckon I wouldn’t last long in a place where there is actually negative degrees and snow on the ground. I admire those that do, though.

I missed some of the days where I should of started seeds indoors because we were out of country, but I should have been on it as soon as we were back home. Now, I have until the end of the month (one week) to get on it. Oh, did I mention I have a tendency to procrastinate?

It’s ridiculous to spend time writing about it, when I could be out there doing it, but, again, it’s chilly and windy. The hot tub is right outside my office window and the top blows open often. Now, to my defense, I’m not just doing nothing, I’m tackling the indoor chores, because this homestead’s floors need mopping, laundry needs washing, dishes need doing, food needs fixing, bodies need cuddling and brains need feeding!

Speaking of brains, my obsession with wind and unruly weather prompted a word study in the Word. I was delighted to find quite a few references to wind. ( My obsession is no doubt fueled by my sissy attitude towards wind….but I digress.)

The scripture use the word wind to describe weather conditions but also to describe deep things like the attributes of God. It talks about an east wind and a west wind, and south winds bringing the heat. It discusses wind being used as a force to punish and also to help.

Wind might hold a special place in God’s plan. In Psalm 135:7 it says He releases the wind from his storehouses. (some translations say treasuries).

Psalm 148:7-8 says Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of ocean depths, fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather, obey Him.

1 Kings 19:11 tells us that God is not always in the BIG things of wind, earthquakes and fire, but often in a gentle voice.

Genesis 8:1 God remembers Noah and the boat and God sent a wind to blow across the earth and the flood waters began to recede.

Exodus 10 God uses the wind to bring the locusts to Pharoh as one of the curses that frees His people.

Matthew 14:24 the disciples find themselves in peril because a strong wind had risen and they were fighting heavy waves and then Jesus came walking to them on the water.

Luke 12:55 Jesus admonishes those who can tell the weather by the ways the wind blows, yet they can’t interpret the present times.

With so many references to wind in the Bible, I reckon I shouldn’t be so consumed with my disdain for certain natural occurrences because He uses them.

It’s good to remember ALL the ways He uses the wind… some pollination of plants happens because of the wind, and in my own life, when it’s hot and dry out the lesser wind, called breeze is welcome. When I am celebrating and rejoicing in Him, arms outstretched, face towards the sky in praise – the sight of soft white clouds moving at His pace with His wind….is another indicator of His ever present being.

He loves us enough to give us examples of something that some might consider insignificant -wind- to learn about His faithful and good character. He is a good, good Father.