Be Vibrant

"...even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you."  Psalm 139:12 (NIV)

Of course I was going to start writing about fall and leaves.  I'm sure you were all waiting patiently!   I absolutely adore the colors of the trees.  To me, it is a clear reminder how our Lord takes the time to paint this incredible picture every year.  This is the time of year that I slow down.  I take a look at the trees.  I smell the aroma in the air.  I take time in the kitchen making "autumn" goodies.  

In slowing down recently, I noticed something even more amazing.  Yes, the leaves on the trees are incredibly beautiful.  Yet, I think they are even MORE beautiful when the skies are cloudy.  The sunshine does reflect onto the leaves and they are pretty.  Yet, when the clouds cover the skies, the trees take on an incredible hue that seems to surround the tree in a stupendous view of color.  The trees are more vibrant when the days are cloudy.

This did make me think of all of us.  We have cloudy days, that is for certain.  The cloudy days could be filled with overwhelming difficulties and struggles.  Those days can seem insurmountable.  We can also have cloudy days that are just, well, not happy.  Maybe you can't pinpoint the troubles, but you know that it isn't a "sunshiny" day.  On those cloudy days, we have a choice, to be gloomy or vibrant.

Usually, we can be justified if we are a bit gloomy - life isn't picture perfect.  Those around you might even understand why you wouldn't be very happy.  Life can be tough and so can our dispositions.  What we need to remember is that we have someone to share our tough days with - Jesus.  In Jesus, we can share all of our thoughts, all of our difficulties, and all of our struggles.  

In Jesus, we can also find joy and thankfulness during those tough times.  With Jesus we are able to see things differently, have a different perspective.  We can see through the darkness to the light - the light of hope.  In Jesus, we can be the vibrant colors on a dark day.  It's not always easy, and it may not always be done.  What we can remember, though, is that we have a God who is faithful, who is loving, who is forgiving, and who is the Great Healer.  We have a God who is our friend, our joy, our hope and our salvation.  With all the cloudiness that may be around us, remember where you get YOUR light from - remember Jesus.  Be Vibrant on the cloudy days!!

"Dear Jesus, on cloudy days it can be hard for us to find goodness and hope.  When we are close to you, though, we know that your love is a comforting blanket for us.  We know that although we might feel desperate, our light can shine.  Help us to be vibrant on the cloudy days by being close to you, Jesus, to fill us with the light.  In your name we pray, Amen."