Whatever Happens

It’s a cold, wet, dreary day in Wichita today.  The temperature is 44 degrees.  The rain has started.  The clouds have thickened.  It’s one of those days when you’re glad you’re inside, the furnace works, and you have some hot chocolate mix in the pantry left over from last year.

These kinds of days are needed from time to time if for no other reason than to remind us of the glory of the sun and its warming rays.  This truly is one of those things where we have to experience what it’s like to NOT have something in order to appreciate it more when we DO have it.

These kinds of days also tend to change the attitudes of people.  I know that I tend to become more contemplative and yet more restless.  I sometimes wonder if the gloom of the outdoors somehow comes upon me in a personal way as I sort of wander, sometimes rather aimlessly, through the day.

I really think that there is something to the winter blues and the effect that daylight has on people.  I like to turn on the lights in the house and open the windows to let in as much light as possible.  I don’t like dark areas or shadowy parts of the house.  And I like to have plenty of light where I work.

It’s days like today that force me to smile when I’d rather not; that compel me to be cheerful when I’d rather complain; to talk with someone when I’d rather sit in the corner.  God’s blessings continue to come whether it’s raining or sunny; whether there’s a foot of snow on the ground or the roses are blooming.  It seems the least I can do is be grateful for His provision and care.

They say it will be in the mid 60’s tomorrow.  And that it will continue to warm up for a day or two before coming back into the 50’s later next week.  That’s the normal course of things for October.  Spring in reverse.  So we enjoy the days of sun and pleasant breeze.  And we work to do more than just tolerate the days of rain and wind.

The saving grace in all of this, for those of us who like long days and lots of light is that the shortest day of the year is a mere two months or so away; then the days again become ever so gradually longer and longer.  I’m counting down the days.  I’m already looking forward to spring.  And I know that whatever happens, God is there.