Psalm 104:2-4  The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/psa.104.2-4.NIV

O my soul, bless God! God, my God, how great you are! beautifully, gloriously robed, Dressed up in sunshine, and all heaven stretched out for your tent. You built your palace on the ocean deeps, made a chariot out of clouds and took off on wind-wings. You commandeered winds as messengers, appointed fire and flame as ambassadors. 

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:1-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/97/psa.104.1-4.MSG

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It’s a sunless Saturday morning here in Marble Falls. It looks like rain. Rain is good and welcome this time of year. Of course, in most of Texas, rain is welcome just about any time of year. 

Many years ago, an accomplished college athlete who became a minister told his story to a group of students at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. He married his sweetheart and they enjoyed the goodness of their early adult years. Life was full of joy. 

Long story short, she became ill and died. Grief, as it is with the loss of all of our dearest loved ones, consumed him. In that season he heard a statement that shifted his grief. It did not eliminate his grief. It did not make his grief easier to endure. It did, however, alter his perspective. 

This coach looked at us and said, “It may be raining here, but the sun is shining somewhere.”

Today may be one of those Spring days full of sunshine and wildflowers for you. Enjoy every glorious moment to the fullest. Thank God for such life-affirming days. 

Today may be one of those Spring days full of clouds and thunderstorms literal or metaphorical. 

Whether this is a sad day or a glad day, it’s a good day to commit to memory the truth stated above: It may be raining here, but the sun is shining somewhere. 

Stephen Covey in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People says we should carry our weather around within us. This simple statement helps us do that. We have known hard times before. We will know them again. Weeping sometimes lasts all night long. Even so, there is the promise of a morning where joy dawns with the rising sun. 

What weather will you carry within you today? 

Cloudy days make the sunshine more welcome and lovely upon its return. 

On your next cloudy day, hold within you those golden memories of sunshine and wildflowers. Remember, it may be raining where you are, but the sun is shining somewhere.

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I will celebrate sunny days when the rain seems to last forever. 

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Our Father, one day all sorrow will cease. Thank you. Today is probably not that day. Bless us in seasons of grief with memories of grace so amazing, beauty so true, love so real. Remind us as often as necessary that loss is time-limited. Grief has an expiration date. Joy endures forever. Awaken our hearts to this wonder. Amen.