Ecclesiastes 11:4 informs us, "He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap." Every good farmer will tell you the importance of gauging the sky and the possibility of rain and so on—but every good farmer will also tell you that opportunities can be lost by being overly cautious and using the conditions as excuses to put something off that could be done. Even getting half of a job done is progress.

We all have "fields" to sow and "crops" to reap. It takes character and determination to face the problems and work in spite of and around the challenges. If the sight of clouds or the indication of wind prevents us from doing something, then we are too easily stopped. If conditions are not good, a farmer will be getting ready for the first break in the weather. How about us? Got a raincoat and boots?