Matthew 5:45 — that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
I’m British by origin, so maybe it’s surprising that the weather doesn’t inspire me more often! Today, though, it has. In the North, a good part of America is shivering in some of the coldest weather for many years. Here in Southwest Florida the weather is much pleasanter, but unpredictable. Our local NBC news affiliate says:

The good news for the second half of our weekend is we’re set to see improving weather today as moisture exits and gives way to some sunnier and warmer weather. Today will be much warmer with highs back in the low 80s. But just as the next warming trend begins, it comes to an end–and in a dramatic way. A piece of arctic air will dive south into the Florida peninsula Monday, bringing us the coldest weather so far this season.

So how do you feel about all that? If you’re living in the North, do you feel picked on? Are you thinking “How come this is happening to me?” or “Somebody round here must have done something really bad to bring this on us!” If you’re here in Southwest Florida are you feeling smug, or deserving?
Now I should be careful to say that what Jesus was doing in the verse above was drawing attention to God’s universal goodness. Sometimes we in the West misread it because we don’t always see rain as a blessing. Jesus’s audience would have been in no doubt. Rain is one of God’s most important gifts — and He gives it to everyone, good and bad alike. But not only is God even-handed about who He gives to, He is even-handed about what He gives — something Job understood very well when he said “… What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? … (Job 2:10).
I said to someone today that I supposed I was a little unusual, because I love all sorts of weather. Sun, rain, thunder, lightning, heat or cold — every variety of weather has it’s charms.
I know that I should be able to treat every circumstance, good or bad, in the same way. I have to say I don’t always do a good job! It’s not for nothing that Paul says “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), but sometimes I don’t feel very thankful for the circumstances I find myself in.
The thing is, rain or shine, good or bad, God is providing the best circumstances for my situation. There’s a story told about Charles Spurgeon that provides the right perspective. One day, it is said, Spurgeon was walking through the English countryside with a friend. As they strolled along, the evangelist noticed a barn with a weather vane on its roof. At the top of the vane were these words: GOD IS LOVE. Spurgeon remarked to his companion that he thought this was a rather inappropriate place for such a message. “Weather vanes are changeable,” he said, “but God’s love is constant.” “I don’t agree with you about those words, Charles,” replied his friend. “You misunderstood the meaning. That sign is indicating a truth: Regardless of which way the wind blows, GOD IS LOVE.