I love days like today - blustery days. It has to be one of the best types of weather... I wouldn't call in windy.... I associate 'windy' with 'cold', but today isn't cold! It's warm... although the wind can make it seem cold.
I'm sitting inside writing a paper (the longest I've ever written, actually) with a cup of tea and the heater set to a tropical 80 degrees. I'm snug as a bug in a rug, you could say. And I'm watching the wind play in the trees outside, buffeting them to and fro, and making that delightful whooshing sounds that only a fierce wind in tree tops can make. Those long-awaited spring flowers who had finally dared to poke their delicate heads above ground are taking a beating. They just weren't cautious enough, I suppose. The birds had all started coming out from spring as well, flitting about the backyard and chattering madly... but not today. Today they are all huddled down together somewhere warm and sheltered, waiting for the winds coming up off the Pacific to pass.
But not me! It can stay as long as it likes, as far as I'm concerned. Somehow the fact that the weather outside is less than ideal, makes my being warm and comfy inside that much more enjoyable. And the wind astonishes me! Some of those gusts are worrisomely powerful. They come so suddenly, and I actually fear for the trees - they are bent so tremendously from side to side... it's amazing how they can endure such violence.
But did you know it makes them stronger? It does! The bending back and forth of the tree's trunk forces it to adapt and grow to be stronger the next time. It's even possible to see the stress lines in the rings of a tree... it's very fibers.
The same is true with human bones... I learned that last semester. The more exercise you get, or the more stress and pressure you exert on your bones, the more tough and durable the become!
Perhaps the same is true with believers. James 1 famously states: "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trails, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
It makes me wonder... if trees could talk, would they tell us they are thankful for the wind?
In honor of this blustery day, I present you all with this YouTube clip. I will forever associate the word 'blustery' with my old friend Winnie The Pooh... enjoy!
