Two of my brothers and my sister-in-law took me to the movies yesterday. On the way home I noticed there were a lot of trees that had their leaves flipped over. I’ve always heard that when you see the leaves flipped over like that it means that it’s going to rain. I just always assume that that was an old wives tale. So when I got home yesterday, I looked at the weather forecast. The weather forecast did not show any rain in our area. Probably 100 or so miles south there was a little spot of rain. It was cloudy and humid, which it was not supposed to be; but the weather man, with his meteorological knowledge, says there is to be no rain. So I thought I would test out the old wives tale theory of the rain and do some research to see what the leaves flipping over actually means scientifically.
According to “Reconnect With Nature Web Site,”* it is more scientific than old wives tale. Although, the old wives observing the science of weather patterns probably propagated the tale.
According to science, and the Reconnect With Nature Web Site, (from the Ohio State University Extension,) one theory says this happens because prevailing winds can help shape the way the leaves grow. Then when non-prevailing winds come through, like before a storm, they can cause them to flip.
Then again, this same article (from the Farmer’s Almanac—not quite so scientific) says that humidity can be a factor, causing the leaves to become soft and hang more limply on the branches or allow the wind to turn them more easily.
I suppose the science is all “science-ee,” but I still like the old wives tale version, that the trees are looking for rain.
What are we looking for? What are we desiring?
The Bible, in Psalm 37:3-6, gives us a little picture of what we should be looking for, or desiring. Here, the Israelites were told to have trust in the Lord and to do good. If they obeyed and did the things God required, they would be cared for, provided for.
In verses four and five they were told to find pleasure in serving the Lord. When we do this the desires of our heart, which will align with the Lord’s plan, will be given to us. Along with finding pleasure in the Lord, if you will pledge yourself to the Him, He will see that the desires of your heart are met.
Then when you receive the joy and desires of your heart, the Lord will bring out, or display, your integrity and goodness openly for all to see…in the light.
Think about it. Look inside and search yourself. What are the desires of your heart? Do the desires of your heart line up with God’s plan for your life? The challenge in this passage could be to determine what your inner being, the heart, does desire; and if it will lead you closer to our Lord or if it will be a stumbling block to closeness and intimacy with Him.
How can we apply this passage of scripture to our lives? The promise in this scripture tells us clearly that if we will have delight in our Lord that through that delight He will bring us the desires of our heart. So after searching our hearts, we may need to confess anything that we are holding between God and ourselves. We need to make sure there are no idols that need to go.
What does this mean to my faith? I can praise God that He does search my heart and He knows the deepest desires that I may not even be able to put into words. He knows me. As long as my spirit is aligned with Him, He will bring those desires to pass. I kind of look at it as, “When you truly want what God wants, God will want you to have what you want…. you will be blessed.”
Lord, Thank You for being patient with this, sometimes stubborn, heart of mine. You see right through me, through the bumps and bruises, straight to the center of my heart, where my love for you resides. Help me commit everything I have to You. I desire to be faithful to You and to serve You with my whole heart…no part held back. I want to be close enough to you to be looking for those blessings!
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“3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. 5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. 6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” Psalm 37:3-6 (KJV)
“My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104:34 (KJV)
“Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:14 (KJV)
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:” 1 Peter 1:8
“He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” Psalm 145:19 (KJV)
“He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.” Psalm 22:8 (KJV)
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I feel that since God has given me the gift of this platform, I must always tell you about Him.
What is your relationship to the all-knowing God of the universe? Do you know Jesus? Do you know the peace that can come only from an intimate relationship with Him? You can know Him. Jesus Christ, God’s Son, born into human flesh, sinless, crucified and giving His life freely, buried, arisen on the third day, will come into your life and change the outcome of your eternity. You just have to be willing to believe and accept His truth.
Here is an excellent website that can give you additional information about making your decision for Jesus Christ! PeaceWithGod.net
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Blog Image by Orhan Can from Pixabay
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* “Reconnect With Nature Web Site, Article: Nature curiosity: Why do leaves flip before it rains?”
Restricted Vision, Unburdened Sight 