Seeing Past the Clouds

Today started out as a gorgeous day, as so many days do. But like so many gorgeous days, I knew it couldn’t last. I saw clouds on the horizon and I knew that while I was enjoying all the sunshine, someone else was having a cloudy day.

Clouds to me are a reminder of perspective. This thought first occurred a year ago when I was riding shotgun with Jake who was flying a plane above the clouds at an altitude of around 6,000 feet. As I was looking out the window, I could see where the clouds were blocking the sun from shining on a particular area of land. Yet all I had to do was look a few miles over and the sun was shining down with no clouds to block its rays. 

Sometimes when I picture my life, I think of it from the big picture… from 6,000 feet above. There are days when I look down at my life and it’s nothing but sunshine, not a cloud in the sky and those are the days that I thank God for. However, there are some days when people or situations (the clouds, if you will) float in the sky blocking out the beautiful sunlight that gives me so much joy.

As I began to think about it, I realized that I can do what I can to make it a “sunny day,” but ultimately, I don’t have control over the weather. People and situations will come into my life that may cause a few clouds in my otherwise sunny sky. When I realize and accept that this is a normal part of life, then I can begin to adjust my attitude to deal with such things. Nobody promised us that this life would be easy or that we wouldn’t have troubles. The one thing we can truly control is our attitude and perspective.

For me, I’ve had to learn that storm clouds will roll in… the trick is knowing how to weather the storm and realizing that our troubles, whatever they are, won’t last forever.

“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don’t worry…I’m here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you." - Charlie Brown to Snoopy