Looking Up, Through the Gray

The morning is quiet and hushed as the sun rises. It's not one of those "bright glorious sunrise" days, but a gray one. The skies went from dark to light as if gradually turning up the brightness button on a grayscale photo. The silvery sky is covered by blotchy clouds. As the large trees stand firm, the smaller ones are rustling, nervously awaiting whatever the day will bring. The wind chimes are clanging, as if sending out a warning.

The weather forecast isn't pretty, promising a chilly day with periods of drizzle, a wintery mix, and gusts. It's a typical late winter day, not a favorite forecast, but certainly not the worst.

Despite the gloom outside, as I watched the sky lighten, revealing the familiar once again, I felt a sense of protection, and of being blessed. There have been dark moments in my life, when sadness and worry overtook my soul, ignoring the brightness surrounding me Thinking of that as I watched the sky, I was reminded, "Though I walk through the valley of death, I will fear no evil..." and thought of the many, many times when I have been protected and comforted by God.

Yes, we have gray days, in "real life" and in our minds. But they are not permanent, and even serve a purpose. As the rain nourishes our gardens, allowing the ground to soak up needed moisture in order to send up colorful plants, the quiet times of reflection, when we draw closer to God, nourish our souls, calming and soothing us... it reminds us to keep going in order to see the good that is coming.

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8  These words were spoken by Moses, speaking to Joshua. We need the reminder at times, just as the Hebrew people did. Yes, God is with us, even on gray days.