By Hannah Carpenter 
God gave me a gift today. Don’t you love how He does that? When we least expect it, He just loves on us. He knows what our souls crave, and just like that– He pours out His love.
Today I was on an airplane headed to visit my best friend. This is a mommy-recharge trip, a gift from my wonderful husband. We left for the airport before the sun was awake, before people should even be drinking coffee. After a sweet and teary goodbye, I strolled into the airport and on a plane. . . alone. As a mom to five, this is a luxury. When we planned this trip, I didn’t know the depth of my need for it. Of my need for rest. But He did. He knew my soul was weary, my arms were tired from holding babies, my back tired from picking up endless piles of toys and clothes. But more importantly, He knew my heart was sad. He knew I would be in the clouds.
Have you ever been in a season where life is cloudy? Or stormy? A season where there is joy and happiness, but there’s still a cloudy horizon? Joy can’t fully peak because you can still hear thunder miles away. You wake up with an energy in your step, then when the flashes of lightening appear. . . you feel defeated. I am in those clouds right now.
As my plane took off, I put my ear buds in and closed my eyes. A few minutes later I felt the sun trying to pull me from my nap. I opened my eyes to see we were above the clouds.
Almost breathless. . .”Yes Lord! I see it.”
Above the clouds is the sun. The light. Clarity. Energy. Renewal. Life. It was a profound moment. Simple. . . silly even. I knew the sun was always there. . . but I had forgotten to feel for its presence.
Have you ever been laying in the sun, only to have a cluster of clouds swoop in and block the light? In that moment, have you slowed your breath and focused on feeling the sun through the clouds? I have. I have been desperate for the sun’s warmth, knowing some of those rays will peek through the clouds and I will absorb its warmth. I’ve felt the sun through the clouds. But I had to remind myself, I had to be intentional about seeking its warmth.
In our cloudy seasons, God is still there. We may have clouds blocking His light, His warmth. . . but it’s not gone. He is still above all things, He is still the light of the world, He is still sovereign over us, He is still here. I know this, you may know this too. But have you felt it? Have you felt the warmth seeping through the clouds, reminding you of its presence?
Sometimes I get stuck in the clouds. I forget the sun is still shining. I think it’s going to be cloudy forever. I think the sun will shine for others, but it won’t come to my world. Or it will, but it’s only temporary. The clouds will return, they will prevail. But those are lies. All throughout scripture we see that God is light. And the light always wins. . .
Habukuk 3:4
His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.
Ezekiel 1:28
As the appearance of the rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the surrounding radiance Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD And when I saw it, I fell on my face and heard a voice speaking.
1 John 1:5
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
My unexpected gift today. . . Seeing the light above the clouds. What a sweet moment to see my Father’s love for me. I felt Him saying, “See? I’m still shining over all things– even when you can’t see it. Seek my presence, my warmth. Allow it to permeate your soul and shine in your life. These clouds have no power over you. You are a child of the most high, the Creator of the universe.”
Friends–if the clouds are all you can see today; lie down, slow your breath, and feel His warmth. It’s there, I promise.
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