Saturday, October 1, 2011

Dark Clouds

The last two years have been difficult for my family.   Sometimes it seems as if I have a little black cloud hovering over me!  I lost both of my parents.  I lost a job.  My husband has health issues and was unable to work for three months.  Medical bills have stacked up adding to financial stress.  I had one of the most difficult school years in my 30 years of teaching.  Sometimes God has seemed very far away! Okay, I'm done complaining!

We took a little day trip to southern Arizona a few weeks ago.  On the drive home, the sky turned gray and we anticipated a nice rainstorm.   Then the sun started to shine through the clouds.  It was beautiful!  The sun's rays shone through and the clouds were outlined in beautiful silver.  I was reminded of an old song that my Dad used to sing.  I could only remember two lines so I looked it up (isn't the internet grand?)

"Back of the Clouds"

Never fear tho' shadows dark around your path may fall;
Do not let your heart be troubled;
From His throne in heaven,
God is watching one and all,
He will ever care for you.

Back of the clouds the sun is always shining,
After the storms your skies will all be blue;
God has prepared a rosy-tinted lining,
Back of the clouds it's waiting to shine thru.
                                      Carolyn R. Freeman

God is not far away.  He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.  I choose to put my hope in Him, even when the way is dark.

"Why are you downcast, O my soul?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."  Psalm 42:5