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Chasing Sunshine-by Heidi McLaughlin

Posted: November 28, 2021

Bursts of joy immerse my heart when the sun breaks through the clouds and sunglasses glide onto my face. Add to that my favourite flip-flops and a linen top and I’m on my way to a good day. I live in a beautiful vineyard valley with lots of sunshine, which is perfect for nourishing the grapes and sweeting the wine. But it’s not all sunshine. A heavy blanket of grey seems content to sit on top of the mountains from the middle of November to February. These are the months I have to get up and actually chase the sunshine.

We have to chase the sunshine.

If I don’t make a concerted effort to seek sunshine, the gloomy clouds will suffocate my soul. So I have to remember that clouds can be deceptive.  Their puffed up, dark stories lie to us. This is your life right now, dark, gloomy without hope for better days. You’re all alone in this bleakness.  You’ve seen your best days.

 You’ve seen your best days.

But I’ve flown above the clouds and gazed out of West Jet’s windows at a brilliant, glorious cloudless universe. So I know that the clouds are simply a temporary barrier holding back goodness and sunlight. This is when I have to remember Psalm 84:11 “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” So I have to remind myself that God isn’t mad at me or withholding goodness from me. The clouds are simply a temporary interlude, a place of waiting, resting and reflecting.

Clouds are a temporary interlude.

Just the other day when the sun pierced my living room windows, it shone on areas that revealed dust and dirt I didn’t even know existed. I was shocked. How could I have missed that?  In the same way, I believe that the Son of God shines His light into our souls to reveal those things that are still in the darkness holding us back from receiving the fullness of joy. Am I still hanging onto hurtful words, bitterness, and offenses or beating myself up for things unsaid, undone? What do I need to do with what God is revealing to me?

What is God revealing to me?

But this I know. If I want to chase the sunshine to find joy physically and spiritually, I have to do what the Bible tells me: “The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” God is simply using the clouds as a reminder that goodness is waiting, and for me to use this temporary breathing space to do what is right.  Do I need to say: “I’m sorry?” Do I need to visit a dying friend? Do I need to give generously to the poor and to my home church? Do I need to encourage someone with a meal, a coffee, and a walk? Do I need to show more patience and kindness during this crazy, busy holiday season?

I don’t know about you, but I want nothing holding me back from chasing all the sunshine available to me. To feel the sweetness of God’s love shining on me. So you and I need to do what is right in God’s eyes. I’m asking God to reveal any dust or dirt in my life. How about you?

 

 

 

 

Posted in: alone, ask God, beauty and joy, bitterness, chasing sunshine, do the right thing, Encouragement, Forgiveness, fresh joy, gloomy days, God's goodness, Kindness, Making Wise Choices, Patience, temporary