Oh! The Majestic Light!

Psalm 8:1
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory in the heavens.

It's Sunday morning.  I awaken conscious of the fact I don't feel rested.  It doesn't matter.  We have contemporary service to lead today.  I must roll out of the all-too-comfortable bed and embrace the day.

As I don slippers and robe, I hear it.  A steady rain is falling outside, tempting me in the worst way to snuggle back under the covers and slip into the land of soothing sleep.  Instead, I sigh and head for the kitchen to brew coffee.  I glance at the clock - 6:45.  I'll have to rouse Danny no later than seven.

I pour my morning glass of water, start the coffee, turn on my computer, and shuffle to the French doors to assess the grayness of this bleak day.  Yes, in my head, I know we need this rain, but in my heart, I long for sunshine.  My thoughts drift back to our recent time spent at the cabin, and I find myself missing the beautiful, if cold, weather we experienced there.

As I gaze at our deck, so pristine yesterday for our family gathering, now smothered in a damp carpet of fallen leaves, I grieve my tedious efforts to sweep it clear when obstacles have once again reared their taunting heads.

"Ouch!  Ow!"

"Danny?"  I respond in alarm as his voice infused with jagged pain pierces the silence of the house.  I am sprinting, emergency lights flashing in my mind, for the bedroom.  "What's wrong?"

"It's my back," he groans.  "It's gone out and hurts like the devil!  Why now?  Why, on Sunday when we need to lead worship?"

"Because the devil sees an opportunity," I tell him, "but we're not going to let him take it.  Don't we have those pain-relievers your dentist prescribed for your upcoming surgery?  Get some of those in you, take your shower, and I'll fetch the back brace."

With great difficulty, Danny manages to get cleaned up and dressed with my aid.  My heart breaks to see him in so much pain.  It's been years since his back has acted up, and that has been a blessing.  But of all days and times to do so?  I'm sending up lots of prayers as I try to make Danny as comfortable as he can be for the time being, asking the Lord to help Danny get through the Sunday service.

God, in His endless love and grace, provides.  Danny makes it through worship with flying colors.  But as we exit the church with the rain still pouring down, I note the strain and weariness on his face, and know I will need to wait on him, hand and foot, gladly, to ease the discomfort and make the rain in his back go away.

Our afternoon into early evening is touch and go.  The outside gloom reflects the discomfort of a persistent ache, a dreariness of the soul when pain-killers and heating pads and back braces can't fully assuage Danny's ailment.  I am consumed with concern for him.

Then, just as the sun is preparing to set, the rain ceases and the clouds recede.  The light!  Oh, the majestic light which appears, unbidden, upon the horizon!  God's glory is saturating the heavens with unbridled hope.  In spite of his condition, Danny grabs his camera and captures these wondrous photos.

Tomorrow, God promises.  Tomorrow is a brand new day full of My love, My healing, My joy, My grace.

We believe it.

We receive it.

And both Danny and I have a restful night's sleep . . .

~

When has God taken your rainstorms and turned them into sunshine?

Prayer:  Father, thank You for the tough and trying times which may make us sad and weary in the moment, but which lead us, with more open minds and hearts, to Your healing and comfort.  Help us to not miss the miracles and beauty You offer to us daily in the most ordinary things.  Let us daily praise You for Your love and grace which You lavish upon us.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.