Cloudy Days

This is a crop from a much larger photograph. I’m not certain the source, so I spent some time digitizing, personalizing and making it reflect the turmoil that was in my mind yesterday.

My daughter mentioned the panic in my voice when I called her for directions. I had completely forgotten about the GPS in the glove compartment when I thought of ways to get direction to the closest hospital. We were on our way back from Beloved Husband’s treatment when his blood pressure/blood sugar/we’re not certain took a nose dive and, except for excessive shaking, his symptoms matched those of his last hospitalization. I knew he was concerned, too, when he wasn’t negative about heading for the closest emergency room.

Fortunately, I neglected one right turn and during the extra few blocks, his color returned, other symptoms relieved and he felt well enough that he wanted to go home. He looked well enough, too, so we returned to our schedule.

During those few tense moments, though, my mind whirled as darkly as those clouds in the photo and I was unnerved. Which goes to show that I have not reached the point where I totally rely on God and believe Him when He says:

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV)

Yes, these words were written by Moses at a specific place, for a specific time, but we find scriptures with this meaning across the Bible, even at Jesus’ birth, for the whole world:

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luke 2:10 KJV)

I read an article recently about God giving us more than we can handle. Yes, He does. More than we can bear. Enough to make us question ourselves and Him. Enough to cry out “Why?” even though we’re promised He’s with us, never to fail, never to forsake.

That’s how we handle more than we can – we give it to Him in exchange for the light burden He has asked us to take:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

Thanks be to God that on those cloudy, tumultuous days, I can can give my heavily laden burdens to Him in exchange for one that carries all of His commandments:

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:36-40 KJV)

Accepting salvation through His love:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)