Thursday, August 21st
Galway, Ireland
I have a letter I am forming in my head that I will most assuredly send to REI at the end of my stay here in Ireland. And I’m praying that I will be able to write it, because I am praying that my reasoning will stand. I have been amazed at how well my tent has held up in the crazy weather here. As mentioned before, we are staying on the shore. As beautiful as it is, it invites the gale force winds coming from the sea and the storms that form off shore. And my tent has taken a beating because of it. Each night, I lay down thankful to the creators of my tent. Thankful that they knew what it would take to survive such a storm. Thankful that I am dry even though the ground below me is saturated with water. It has rained every day since we have been here. It is quite funny actually because the first night in my tent, I can remember thinking – “I can do this, it is almost cozy in my sleeping bag and fleece listening to the rain hit the rain fly like it would a tin roof.” That feeling has faded now. I was quite sure yesterday that I couldn’t, in fact, do it. I was in over my head – even though I was dry.
It almost played out like a Saturday night live skit. It was quite comical really. We spent the day in Galway doing ministry – removing graffitti and talking to people. We came home to our tents only to find some of them emploded from the weight of the rain and wind. So, we decided to take them down and put some others up in their place. A noble quest, really. Us, the warriors and the weather, our opponent. Rest assured, the weather won! With each stake that was not getting put in the ground, my resistance faded as quickly as the rain that was pelting my skin. Trying to put up a tent in 40 mile/ hour wind is something to behold. The reason I know, is because the other campers staying there were watching from their safe and dry camper windows. Watching the mayhem. Watching us fight for a dry place to sleep. The rain would come hard and fast and leave just as fast as it came. The sun would peak through and invite us out to construct the tent, only to be mocked as it poured on us again! I found myslef over the weather. Over fighting the rain. Over not seeing the sun. Over it. Until this happened:
It was quite a reminder of His brilliance and control and favor on us. Even when it didn’t feel like it. Even when he didn’t stop the rain from pelting us – and we asked, for sure! Perhaps, the letter to REI is necessary to thank them for the quality equipment but even more so is to be thankful that our true shelter is found in Him alone. I believe Psalm 61:4 is quite fitting:“Let me dwell in Your tent forever; Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.”
And so, as I sit here and let the long awaited sun warm my face and dry my clothes from the earlier hail storm I walked through, I will be thankful: REI, thank you. Jesus, I can’t thank you enough that the shelter of Your wings is available for us. That we can take cover and shelter in you. That you protect us. That you love us enough to allow us seek dryness and safety in you. That although my tent has lost its appeal (and it is only day 11) I can dwell in Your Tent forever!
