In which God works in mysterious ways

Before leaving the house this morning to take Neatnik to today's fifth and final day of Discovery Canyon Vacation Bible School, I checked the weather forecast. Late yesterday, I had noticed that the meteorologists were shouldn't wonder if we weren't steering into a nasty piece of weather and I wanted to keep my eye on things.


It's a Mom thing.

I learned that those who study and record data on high and low pressure systems, hot and cold air masses, and the fluctuations of the Fahrenheits were predicting quantities of precipitation which might make the construction of a three hundred cubit ocean-going craft a phenomenally good idea. They were even suggesting that along with all of that falling water we might have ringside seats to a sizzling hot light show.

Given such a precipitation prognosis, I decided that I would take advantage of the time that Neatnik was otherwise engaged and take a good long hike around the fitness trail at one of the local parks. This park has a well-shaded, packed dirt path which is one mile in length. Did I mention that this park is just over a quarter of a mile from the church where Neatnik was doing VBS?

Perfect.

No raindrops fell from the heavens while I was walking though the clouds were fairly well preoccupied with playing tag with the sun. It was a very hazy, hot, and humid sort of morning. The kind of weather which causes one to be absolutely dripping in perspiration prior to completing the first mile. Nine miles later, I was one tired trek.

I debated with myself whether or not Neatnik and I should try to go to the pool this afternoon. Finally, near three o'clock, I decided to throw caution to the winds and just do it. We changed into our suits, packed some fruit and water, and went to the pool. About half a dozen of Neatnik's classmates' moms also decided to play a little weather-roulette so we had plenty of people with whom to talk and to play. While chatting with a couple of other moms, I noticed a woman I had known for many years at our previous parish. This was the first day this summer that I had seen her at the pool, so I excused myself and wandered over to say hello.

We caught up on the kids and school and then the old parish. After a bit, we got to talking about VBS and how much our kids like it. What followed can only be categorized as "God works in mysterious ways".

This woman volunteers with VBS at another local parish. They are doing Crocodile Dock - next week. Did anyone notice how this is a fourth different VBS theme, one which Neatnik has not yet done? Or that they are still going to sign up new children Monday morning? Or that my old friend offered to pick up and drop off the Neatnik every day? Or that we almost didn't go to the pool today because of the impending thunderstorms?

Oh, yeah, mysterious ways!