Sunday morning as I was getting on the 101 South heading to church, I had one of those “I’m in love with Santa Barbara” moments. The sun was out, the mountains were covered in low lying clouds, and everything was green. I appreciate this place everyday of the year, but some days the beauty is so striking it leaves me awestruck. That has been happening a lot in between the storms.
At the same time, I’ll admit, the rain is getting to me a little. Today I woke up and my power was out. The alert said it was due to an “extreme weather event.” I could hear the sheets of rain pouring nonstop outside. Normally that sound brings joy, but it has become oppressive after so many weeks. When that emotional heaviness hits, I try to remember the reservoirs filling up, the drought-stressed trees coming to life, and the sight of birds bathing in the massive puddles left behind. Sometimes those thoughts lift my mood, but not today.
Of all the natural disaster type events, none bring the emotional highs and lows that rain does. Rain is both wonderful and terrible. There is nothing like cuddling up with a good book and a cup of coffee while the soft patter of rain beats outside the window. Rain brings things to life. It cleans the air and clears the mind. It adds a little romantic drama to our daily lives. It can also instill a sense of dread—Will the soil hold? Will the roads go out? How high will the creek rise? The power of water is terrifying as much as it is awe inspiring.
These past few weeks of rain have brought a lot of emotional ups and downs. I give thanks to God for it, while at the same time I pray for those who have lost homes, infrastructure, and loved ones. I am very grateful for it, yet I am concerned for those who do not have adequate shelter or who are slipping into a deeper depression for lack of sun. I’m ready for the return of boring, steady, reliable sunshine, but as the forecast shows, we may not be there yet. God knows, when it comes, there will be floods of gratitude.
May God sustain you in these ups and downs,
Pastor Jen