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Cloudy with Promise of Sunshine

Have you noticed how often we all talk about the weather? It is that safe topic of conversation between strangers. The clerk at the store, "Will we ever see the sun again?" "Feels more like winter out there than Spring huh?" And of course come August we will likely hear " What a scorchah huh?" Yes, the weather is something we all like to talk about and often complain about because it's just never quite perfect enough for us.

Living in the Valley of the Sun for so many years in Arizona we prayed for rain. If and when it finally  rained we didn't know what to do. Our windshield wipers were typically beat up from over exposure to the scorching sun. The accumulated dust that washed off of roofs, houses and driveways made for pretty messy puddles but we didn't care, we'd play in it anyway. Or at least let our kids play in it. Those were rare occasions that always brought refreshment to our thirsty souls. 

Here in New England it's just the opposite. Our windshield wipers are operating in top form. We don't really need an irrigation system for the lawn. We have had more rainy days than not. Or so it seems. We are never happy are we? Maybe I should just speak for myself but based on the conversations I hear, I'm not alone. The rainy dreary days can get us down. We long for a refreshing dose of sunshine.

What I have learned is this- Just as the sun will rise in the morning. The clouds will be lifted and the sun will shine again. Even after a long dreary season that can bring us down. It's so tempting to think that the sun will never shine again when you see nothing but gray skies. The rain cloud seems to follow you like it does Charlie Brown. Life can look that way sometimes. A dreary season rolls in like dark clouds that weighs down the soul. It's not only dreary but appears to be dark and depressing. 


Recently I was brought into this season. I struggled a little with depression in a way I never have before. It was tempting to stay indoors, in my comfy clothes and eat junk food all day thinking that would make me feel better. It didn't. It only added to the heaviness in my heart and soul. I was thirsty for a dose of sunshine. I knew it would come even though I couldn't see it in the future on my weather app. I knew it would come eventually. 

So I did what I always do. I got up everyday and spent time with God. I prayed for Him to lift the clouds and fill me up with His peace in the midst of this season. The clouds didn't lift right away but He lifted my spirits and filled me with His peace. He helped me put one foot in front of the other one day at a time and trust Him that even in the midst of this dreary, seemly dark season, He is there. He hasn't left and He never will. His windshield wipers are working in top form and He will bring the sunshine again.  

I believe in those dark and dreary times when we do the very thing we don't feel like doing, the one thing we know we need to do; God will use it to teach us about Himself. He shows Himself to us in a way that causes us once again to take our eyes off of our circumstances and onto Him. To show us that He is there in the dreary days just as much as in the days of sunshine. 

Yesterday the clouds were lifted. The sun came out and I got out of the house. I took Annie for a run and we ran our favorite route. There is a perfect spot in the park where the pine trees meet the path and when the sun is shining on that landing of pine needles and bark I can smell the woods that remind me of camping when I was little. It's a happy place and I want to bottle it up and bring it home. I received it as sweet gift from God to remind me of His presence in my life. I stopped and just breathed it in for a few minutes. It quenched my thirst. 


Even though some things still seem just as dreary as the darkness was a few days ago. God has changed my heart once again. With His help, I'm going to continue to put one foot in front of the other and do the one thing I know I need to do and trust the One who is in complete control. 

-Pressing On 


“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”
Psalms 94:19 NLT


“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9 NIV


“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NLT

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 11, 2016 at 10:15 AM

    Thank you, Connie! A"golden apple in a silver setting" word. Very timely for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ConnieMay 11, 2016 at 12:45 PM

      I'm so glad you were encouraged and hope it helps to know that we are never alone. 😉

      Delete

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