“Give me the splendid, silent sun with all the beams full dazzling,” Walt Whitman. Whitman captured today perfectly. The day was beautiful, a little cool and windy, but a source of joy and wonder for me as I sat in the porch swing feeling the sun’s “beams full dazzling.” The quiet beauty of springtime — the glorious songs of the songbirds, their symphonies reminding me to be grateful for my blessings — makes me pause to appreciate this wonderful day. I love that nature’s quiet time calms my mind and soothes my soul.

The clouds are so pretty, stacked on top of each other and gathered together in their shades of grays and blues and whites. At sunset Mother Nature took her watercolor brushes and brushed salmon and pink shades on the tops of the clouds as they moved swiftly through the deep blue heavens. The peace and serenity of dusk came shortly there after and the night awakened with his luminous moon and twinkling stars.

George Bernard Shaw said, “Life is not meant to be easy, my child; but take courage: it can be delightful.” Just to be alive is a gift and a blessing. I’ve written many times how we’re not promised another tomorrow. Our tomorrows are precious gifts from God. We need to be cherish each day and be mindful of living our life according to God’s teachings. I read some where that “life isn’t meant to be easy, it’s meant to be lived.”

Life is delightful but life is naturally full of up and downs, fluctuations of joy and sorrow. The best path to walk down isn’t always the easiest way. We choose a life worth living, walking down a path full of twist and turns and storms and rainbows. Every time we stumble and reach for God’s hands, we have opportunities to strengthen our faith. Psalm 63:8 states, “I cling to you; your right hand holds me securely.” The dark storms in our lives are only temporary, but the blessings of God last a lifetime.

Romans 8:35 asks,“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Even in the most difficult circumstances we can trust in God’s love and steadfast strength. He will never abandon us to the darkness. We are always safe in God’s hands. No matter what trials and hardships you face in your life, never let go of God’s hand. Hold on tight to God’s unchanging hand..

“Nothing can shake those who are secure in God’s hands.” — Unknown