“The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.” Psalm 29:4 “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightening.” Psalm 29:7
It seemed like the rainy and gray days just came one after another. I don’t mind rain usually; in fact I enjoy watching a nice rainfall, or even driving in it. It seems kind of peaceful and cozy to be watching from inside when we are sheltered from the wet and cold. But sometimes weather can dampen our spirits. And the overcast skies can rob our world from color and cause us to feel alone.
This past week our hay has been down and waiting to be baled. Each day of rain just made it darker, dirtier, and flatter to the ground. Some hope finally came with a couple days of sunshine. Raking the darkened mounds of future feed helped dry it out, but the bales aren’t as golden and pretty as they should be. It is what it is, and at least it is baled and ready to come off the field.
The morning of my dad’s funeral began with showers of rain and darkened skies, but before we exited the church to be part of the military honors, God blessed us with sunshine. It was good to be able to experience the ceremony outside, and remember with God’s warmth upon us not only dad’s service to our country, but so many service men and women. Each time I am a part of that kind of celebration it brings tears of thankfulness from somewhere inside of me.
A new season seems to be upon us. Cooler nights and crisp, brightly colored days that seem to bring added energy and optimism. I love this season of Autumn more than any other. It is not too hot nor too cold, and the colors just seem to burst from everywhere. I like Spring also, but the mud that comes with spring rains and melting snow makes it slide into the number two spot for me.
When I think of this season, I think of the colorful leaves that are just beginning to appear as I look heavenward. It brings color to our world that always seems miraculous to me. With our southwest Minnesota wind, the leaves will eventually blow around and dance through the farmyards and streets of town. Their colors will fade. The air will get colder and sharper. We will pull our coats tighter as the gray skies come and go, but the leaves will continue to fly around us. Almost in a defiance of the season of winter that follows close behind.
Psalm 30: 11-12 “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.” God is good. He allows us to mourn for a time, then the joy returns and fills our soul. I love the poem from author Debra Klingsporn below:
Spirit of the living God,
Surround my weary world today
And set my feet to dancing
The silent song of days gone gray.
A heart that’s heavy laden,
Won’t have the last, the final say.
I know a song of dancing leaves,
They swirl and twirl despite the gray.
Spirit of the living God,
Set my feet to dancing.
Yes, my family has had its turn to mourn, to cry, to hug and remember through tears the life of our dad, also a husband and grandpa. But as we went from a rainy morning to a sunny one, and continued the day with sharing the day with so many friends and relatives, it became apparent that this was truly a day of celebration of a life well lived. When we arrived at the little cemetery in Little Rock, Iowa, it was peaceful and serene. The skies threatened some raindrops, but it didn’t matter. The body that was laid to rest did not contain our dad’s spirit. It had gone to live elsewhere, never to decay or disappear. “ The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
As a plaque in our home reads, “ Todays Forecast: God Reigns and The Son Shines”. I am eternally thankful for that promise!
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