Another pretty day sprinkled with beautiful bird songs, warm sunshine beaming down from a spring blue sky dotted with rain clouds. Mother Nature, Father Sky, and Old Man Winter are cooking up some heavy storms this weekend. Hope everyone will weather the storms safely. Be weather aware this weekend!

I’ve porch pondered today but dictated none of my thoughts. Just sat and watched the sky and clouds change colors, the song birds enjoying the feeders, the squirrels running in circles on the old oak’s trunk. The sun was hot on my face but the breeze cooled my cheeks. The sun burned up the wispy clouds mid-day but after lunch the sky was covered in grey clouds, beefing up and getting ready to get the rain started tonight. Late afternoon a cool breeze lowered the temperature and I sat outside till the sun rolled down the horizon and dimmed the day’s light. Mother Nature’s magnificent watercolor painting of sunset was rendered behind a heavy cloud curtain. I could see nothing but a few brush strokes of aqua blue.

Ever been in a wilderness so desolate and uncultivated it lacked civilization? I have not experienced a natural wilderness but I have been in a wilderness of faith several times in my lifetime. Moses led the Israelites through the wilderness for 40 years after they left Egypt. The Israelites lack of faith and their grumbling and complaining led them to wander in the wilderness as punishment. God in his “great compassion” did not abandon them and provided what they needed as they walked to the Promised Land. The Israelites faith was tested and their reliance on God was strengthened.

When we feel our faith wavering and we feel we’re being tested, we stumble in the wilderness of our faith. Life happens. Life has unexpected challenges and changes. We’re knocked down and have trouble believing God hears our cries. We can’t find his hands to grasp to help us back up. We feel disconnected from God and we find it hard to pray. We feel vulnerable, like giving up, like God has turned his back on us.

We have to remember in this wilderness of faith that we are not alone. God is standing with us. Joshua 1:9 states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We have to stay strong and pray for God’s guidance, confronting God spiritually through our prayers and our scripture readings.

When my daughter died I wandered in a spiritual wilderness searching for something to comfort me in my grief. I was walking in the darkness and could not see God walking with me. I cried out for his comfort and hope. I learned to lean on God for strength and perseverance. He held my hand and I slowly wandered back into the sunshine of life. My faith was strengthened and my trust in God solidified.

Never give up when times are so difficult you feel you are wandering in the wilderness. Never feel life is hopeless. Trust in God’s promise. His love, his mercy, and his grace will give us the strength to persevere through the difficult times in life.

“God’s plan is always the best. Sometimes the process is painful and hard. But don’t forget that when God is silent, He is doing something good for you.” — Unknown