In Gray Days

 

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” *  

Michigan has been going through a severe cold snap lately…a polar vortex that delivered snow, wind and temperatures below zero. The sun seemed to be shielded behind a steel plate of gray for many days. Even the mailman described it as brutal!

There’s always an exception though, as our neighbor Jim proved when he knocked on our door one afternoon wearing a ski jacket, snow hat, and cargo shorts! He had just come back from a lengthy bike ride in the freezing weather.

“I’m ready for a hot shower,” he told us after a brief visit.

 I’ll bet! The thought of a bike ride during the polar vortex was the farthest thought from my mind. In fact, Al and I stayed indoors for four days in a row before even venturing outside.

Over the past weekend, continuing into this week, we have had full days of sunshine. That certainly is a boost to the spirits of winter weary people. It has been a blessing to finally see blue sky out the eastern windows in the morning and sunsets out of the western windows.

It’s curious to me that usually every afternoon, no matter how stormy or foggy the day, the clouds part just long enough for a glimpse of the sinking sun. While standing at the kitchen counter preparing dinner, it is always delight to see the glowing orange orb out the west-facing window.

Even on those days when there is a brief moment or two of sunlight, the snow covering the cemetery grounds next door sparkles, and the smooth headstones reflect the light like mirrors. For an instant the somber place is transformed into one of beauty.

So, thank you Lord for the sunshine! Believe me, this transplanted California native will never take sunshine for granted again! Although we all know that the sun is still shining over some part of the earth, it is depressing not to see it for a greater part of the winter.

When I first moved to Newport Beach, California during the 70’s, everyone told me that Catalina Island was only thirty-five miles away, easily visible from the coast. But, fog shrouded the coastline, completely obscuring Catalina for days. Was it really out there? I wondered. When the cloud cover finally disappeared, I saw it…a spectacular sight!

 I have often thought of that sighting during times of pain and sorrow when it seemed like God was far away. Like David when he was on the brink of death, suffering, and surrounded by enemies, I have wondered “How long, O Lord?”

 David, despite his suffering, never lost faith in God. He ended his honest prayer with these words: “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:5-6 NIV) 

The story of Job also parallels that of many people throughout the ages. Job was hit with one calamity after another, losing everything including his health.

Not knowing that Satan was behind it, Job wondered where God was in the midst of his calamities. Yet, God remained silent for what seemed a very long time. Through it all, he held on to his faith in God. “I know that my Redeemer lives…” (Job 19:25a NIV)

Finally, think about Jesus, God’s Holy Son. He was “despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering.” The prophet Isaiah went on to declare these words from God about the Messiah, Jesus: “…after the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied…” (Isaiah 53:3a, 11a NIV)

When dying on the cross, Jesus spoke King David’s words from the 22nd Psalm, “…My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Yet, at the end of the psalm came hope: “For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”  (Psalm 22:1a, 24)

Jesus knew these promises and never swayed from his firm faith in His Father’s love.  

             Hold on! God, the Father, Son and Spirit will never leave you. You are loved!

*Psalm 13: 1-2a NIV