Sun-Shiny Day

Yesterday was a “stormy” day for me.  It was like the challenges I am facing were so huge and I couldn’t see over or past them – they were just overtaking me through the storm.  Although nothing has changed today in relation to what the problems are, today it’s like the storm has passed (amazing what fighting and keeping your eye on the Lord and in His Word can accomplish in our hearts by His grace and mercy!).  I was reminded of the 1st verse of the song: I Can See Clearly Now -- because it’s like I can see now the issues in perspective and they have become smaller (or I have become "bigger" in Christ making them look smaller) – now seeing “all obstacles in my way” and the “dark clouds that had me blind” are removed – and the bright Sun-Shiny Day is here. 

I can see clearly now, the rain is gone,
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

I really desire to “get” to the second verse and bridge, tho... 

I think I can make it now, the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is the rainbow I’ve been prayin’ for
It’s gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright)
Sun-Shiny day.

Look all around, there’s nothin’ but blue skies
Look straight ahead, nothin’ but blue skies

Because although I see things in perspective, the pain and bad feelings are not gone. Looking all around I don’t see “nothin’ but blue skies” – But I know that the Lord is faithful in all that is going on and definitely when my vision is focused forward to Him and trusting Him and clinging to Him that when I “Look straight ahead [toward the hope of heaven there’s], nothin’ but blue skies” in that direction and that gives me hope!!  Romans 5:3-5  And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 

Yay!

I love this picture. It reminds me of what Joy is.  It's like the rain can still be here, but it also can be a bright Sun-Shiny Day and the rain no longer seems overwhelming but a faithful reminder that God is at work...

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven...

This has been a long, difficult week. My sister-in-law pass away after a year and a half battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. 

Soon after she was diagnosed she sent out an email asking people about what faith meant to them. I had responded to her, but I had forgotten all I had put in the email to her until yesterday.  I was at her house yesterday cleaning for the memorial today and come across a book she had made... it was all the responses she received back from her "faith" question.  My email to her was in it.  My response included this blurb from a blog that I had just read the day or two before I responded that I found so encouraging and expressed such hope!

Through life’s storms, through the heat of conflict, rain of disappointments and the shadow of death, beyond discomfort and trials and distractions that threaten to drag us down, His grace continues to be sufficient for each daily experience. Though many fears and doubts assail us as we move through periods of darkness, if we look carefully, our spiritual eyes can make out the Lord’s moment by moment directing up in front. When we are unsettled concerning the unknown future, when we don’t feel in control of our journey, when we feel ourselves sinking under the weight of unfulfilled expectations or regret, He is more than able to deliver us. We are committed to the journey home. We look forward with eager anticipation to that great arrival. He and He alone is the One who can safely bring us home. He has committed Himself to do this. Come on, look away from your own feeble strength and hang on to the promise that He is giving us the victory through Jesus Christ, our Lord! Right now you may feel weary and tired in your great journey home, but look up ahead! The last bend is approaching, and we are going safely Home, right where we have always belonged! Hang on… Home is near.  (Kelly Luyendyk – Missionary to the Abau People)

She died with great faith and much grace to walk through the horror of ALS.  She is safely Home and in that we greatly rejoice.

Yet... I wasn't ready to say good-bye. I guess no one ever really is. It has been most difficult over the last year and a half.  In some ways she was the only one who understood certain things I felt and visa versa.  We shared a deep bond that way.  But the disease robbed us of our relationship, so although her passing was just this week, it seems like I have been grieving her death a for the last year and a half.  This week just made it a final reality.

Out of all the songs that could possibly be playing in my head today at the memorial - it happened to be this one from Surf's Up:

Like the ocean needs the moon to take the tides away,
All we need's a little time to chase the blues away,
Sun is out and it feels like it's always gonna stay,
Let this last forever and turn tomorrow into yesterday, 

Silly little song -- yet, looking forward to the day when the Sun is always going to stay and it will last forever and we both will be rejoicing around His throne forevermore!  There is a day....