Father Sky sketched the quiet beauty of a dull gray sky today, thick layers of clouds veiling the blue sky canvas, hiding the sun’s warm yellow sunshine. The day carried a thick mist on its shoulders making the air damp and the sidewalk wet. The sun tried her best but her rays never could burn through the cloud covers. I studied the sky, sitting shortly on a soggy swing cushion, but I couldn’t see many shades of colors, just a few vanilla spots and some cigar smoke grays. Even though the sky wasn’t visible, I knew its glorious blueness was just behind the clouds.

Just as we can be assured of blue skies underneath an overcast sky, we can also be sure of God’s constant presence in our faith. Even when we feel our faith is clouded by challenges God is standing close. A cloudy sky can symbolize transition and uncertainty, challenges of the unknown. Faith clouded by uncertainty can hide God’s presence. Our prayers can burn the clouds of doubt away and restore God’s sunshine to our lives. We should always looks for God’s love in the dark skies.

Cloudy skies are days for reflection. Annie Mehmood wrote, “It’s okay to cry when there’s too much on your mind — The clouds rain too when things get heavy.” Through our steadfast faith we can see beyond the darkness of life’s clouds. Our faith burns those clouds away and sketches a blue sky.

Late afternoon the sun was trying on sleeveless ball gowns for the sunset pageant. Father Sky thought them too revealing so he hid the sunset pageant with thick vanilla cloud curtains leaving the sunset to my imagination. I can visualize the sun in her apricot silk gown rolling down a ripe mango colored horizon topped with low clouds of pale peach and light turquoise. Father Sky is having a hard time waking the moon and the stars, tucked under their cloud cover of vanilla and gray. The night is waking slowly breaking out from its cloud covers.

Read a quote about perseverance this afternoon. “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark.” Wonder how far the snail had to go and how many times it wanted to stop and give up, but it persevered. Perseverance is persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achievings success. Always heard we need to persevere through adversity. Adversity is difficulties, misfortune. I think we all think about giving up when the tasks get too hard but we have to keep on keeping on, pushing ourselves across the finish line of life. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

Life is a beautiful journey and we choose whether to walk with grace or drag our feet tripping up on things we can’t accept or change. We need to express gratitude for every little blessing. Say your prayers tonight, thanking God for family and friends, and praying for folks that aren’t well. Pray for people who have lost loved ones and are learning how to walk through life without their loved ones. One little prayer can make a difference! One little prayer can lighten a dark sky. One little prayer can sketch a blue sky.

“And they were canopied by the blue sky, so cloudless, clear, and purely beautiful, that God alone was to be seen in heaven.” — Lord Byron