It’s Bali~ It’s my brother Ry’s wedding.
And it’s also rainy season.
Ry and his new wife, SY, had always wanted an outdoor dinner reception. Beautiful food and music with the sky and the stars as the ceiling. Provided it doesn’t rain. They had sent out messages requesting for prayers (tho I think they do think that they are too busy to do that themselves).
Me… I know God is good, and God is great. The One who created the heavens and the earth can surely grant perfect weather. After how God held back the rain at our hometown, I kinda don’t wanna trouble God for Bali. I’m sorry bro, I didn’t pray . Also because in my heart, God is God. God is not Santa Clause.
Then in Bali, one AND two days before the wedding day 4th Jan, it was pouring. I witnessed the rain and I saw how much inconvenience the rain potentially cause. Ry and SY considered securing an indoor venue just in case it started to rain. That means up front paying additional thousands of ringgit, just to have a back up plan. Right there in Bali, alone with my feet in the pool, listening to droplets of rain, I began to humbly ask God to have favor upon us once again, and grant clear skies on the 4th. God challenged me to tell Ry not to book the indoor venue because His hands will guide the clouds away. Oh, I of little faith, dare not pass the message to Ry.
4th January came.
Perfect weather for the morning gate crashing and tea ceremony.
Perfect weather for the chapel ceremony and outdoor cocktail. Wonderful weather for photography.
I was thinking, God, You are really so good to us. You listened to our prayers even if it’s last minute or even when many doubted. I spoke with aunt Florence, who loves Jesus very much. I said “Kuku, beautiful weather…” She said “Of course! I prayed.” Kuku’s life of faith never fails to inspire me. When life threw her a lot of challenges and curve balls, the cute little lady will not bother to stand strong. She will just kneel down before Jesus.
And then, of course, perfect weather for the outdoor dinner. No surprise.
Now what got me thinking and writing (after such long gap) is I don’t want to forget this. After a perfect day on the 4th, somebody commented “Oh, how lucky we are. Apparently there is a ceremony going on at Uluwatu region where many Indonesian bomohs and rain chasers gathered to stop the rain for these few days. We are riding on their effort! No rain, thanks to them!” LMAO. Thanks to them…? I’m so sorry God… It cuts my heart and I really don’t know what to say. Bad outcome, blame God, good outcome, it must be coincidence and some other factor.
I pondered upon this incident and I am reminded of the story of Elijah. (1 Kings 18, Bible)
Elijah vs 450 Bomohs. They needed fire. It was a face-off at Mt Carmel. Elijah allowed the bomohs to go first, 450 of them. After crying out loud for half a day, slashing their bodies, the bomohs get no fire. Then it was Elijah’s turn. He told the witnessed to add more water surrounding the fire place. And again, add more. And third time, drench the trench. Elijah prayed… v37 “Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Poof! Fire came from heaven and burnt the offerings.
Answer us, Lord, so people know that You are God.
I am at peace. God is good and I am grateful. I know who is in control.
Needless to say, it rains again on the 5th and 6th January. Uluwatu was closed to public tourists because of the ongoing ceremony.
aL is here 