Penelope and I have enjoyed being on the porch all day. I ate my breakfast bagel perched in the swing and watched the birds and squirrels beginning their day. The lone male red-breasted grosbeak visited the feeder on the scuppernong trellis close to the swing and I could see what a handsome creature he really is, jet black and snowy white plumage, a bright red kerchief on his broad chest, large white almost pinkish beak. And the females are completely different, fawn brown with a bright white stripe over their eyes. I’m so hoping he’s a scout and will bring a flock when he comes back again.

I greased all the bird feeder poles so Fatty the squirrel is now jumping from the porch bannister to the platform feeder. He’s pretty smart, I guess. I snuck up and scared him and he’s been feeding under the feeders since. He’s the only squirrel visiting today. I know it’s him because he has a Clorox white belly. I’d buy his some squirrel food but I know that would bring the raccoons back.

The sunset pageant was held behind closed stage curtains of gray and purple clouds. Mother Nature painted a magnificent watercolor painting of the sunset in orange and red and purples, her brush strokes hidden by the overcast clouds.The sun stepped on stage, dressed in a gray and black tweed London Fog raincoat with matching hat. Father Sky was dressed casually in skinny leg blue jeans, white oxford cloth button-down collar shirt and dark gray monogramed sweater. He wore a khaki rain parker and carried a large red umbrella covering both himself and the sun. As the pair walked down the pageant stage a heavy dusk settled over the horizon and smothered the daylight’s candles.

Twilight settled upon the earth as Father Sky kissed the sun goodnight and went to wake the moon and stars. The waxing gibbous moon was warm in his cloud covers and not ready to cast his silver moonbeams on the velvet black of the night sky but with coaxing from his twinkling star friends the moon’s luminous glow wakes the night and hushes the day’s voice.

I love a rainy night. A soft rain is falling, relaxing me and lulling my brain. I always think of Noah and the ark when it rains. Always wondered if it stormed for 40 days and nights or was it just a steady rain. The windows are open here my bedroom, so wondrously pleasant with the rain showers. Now the windows will swell and I won’t be able to close them for the cold spell coming Sunday. If I did close them they’d be even harder to open so Penelope and I will just hunker down in my quilts. Surely this will be Mother Nature’s last blast of cold air and she can now warm up the earth’s soil to wake the vegetable seeds and make them grow.

We all face cloudy skies and rain. Sometimes these storms of trials and tribulations flood our lives with unhappiness. During these challenging days we can find shelter in God’s love. He will hold an umbrella over us and shelter us in his arms. Our faith and prayers can push the rain away and color the clouds beautifully at sunset. Our Christian faith can turn our rainy days into blessed sunshine.

Hard times happen because life happens. Every day cannot be sunny but we can look upon these rainy days as times to be inspired to let the rain wash away our troubles. The Bible says the rain is a sign of God’s blessings on the earth, cleansing and purifying, bringing new beginnings. Isaiah 58:11 reads, “The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

We need to welcome the rain like we welcome the sun. Let God’s words cover you like a heavy spring rain, helping you grow and flourish in your faith.

“Rain reminds us that there is hope and beauty in everything if we are wise enough to look for it.” — Anonymous