the flood

I thought the water was high a few days ago, but now the bridge is completely under as well as the lowest section of the trail. It’s been raining steadily for about a week (following all the snow melt) and a couple more inches of rain have fallen in the last day or so with more on the way.

I am thankful our house is on higher ground, but know there are other areas nearby where houses are flooded and one street under 3-4 feet of water. I realize there are people in our country and world with much greater troubles, especially this week, but it is still a little unnerving (while somehow awe inspiring to a degree) to experience even a small scale flood. It’s a tangible reminder that we are not in control.

I can’t help but think, of course, of Noah and The Flood, and of God’s promise (even without seeing a rainbow). I check and find 47 results for the word flood, several being in the Psalms, where “floodwaters engulf,” and I understand with more clarity what it means to be flooded with emotion, or how desperate it can feel to be overcome by something you cannot stop. Amazingly there can even be floods of blessing.

Not great quality, but I looked out the window just as I was typing the last paragraph and saw these two goldfinches, taking advantage of a let up in the rain. I can also hear all kinds of birds chirping away.

And later on…just what I needed to see tonight.

¹⁰The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
¹¹ The Lord gives strength to his people;
the Lord blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29