The BRIGHTEST SUN is just behind the DARKEST CLOUDS...

Thanks for the inspiration and for the pictures. Thank you for commenting on my blog.

We all need some inspiration these days and some reassuring ideas and thoughts as we work and try to relax and keep positive. Thanks for your post.

Elizabeth - Thanks for the reminder that the sun is behind the clouds.  The hardest times in our lives tend to be when we are going through "storms" .  If there were no storms, we would not have any testimony about the goodness & mercy of God.  Thanks for the reminder.

Have a great day
Leander

Thanks Eliz, for this message on Wednesday, to carry through to this Sunday, and especially the part about being there and helping others.  At our church we do a 'corporate prayer of confession' every week, and a theme of mine is, "Lord, how could I have gotten so far off the track since this time last week when I promised to do better?"

Part of your message was our pastor's message this past week, how being inwardly focused can be a downward spiral, and that when we are outwardly focused, and remember God and helping others, we are doing what we were made for. 

I absolutely love this, it is beautifully written and illkustrated without being cloying and syrupy (if that is a word?) Thank you!

Elizabeth ~  God is so bag and the clouds are but one reminder of His Glory.  You will make the right decision as I know you will listen to Him.  You will be in my prayers.  I miss Julie, too...

Elizabeth - Very beautiful photos and a wonderful message, I really enjoy when I come across a post that moves me.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Elizabeth, I am so glad that you wrote this!  I needed this today!  Going through a storm, it is nice to be reminded that they dont last always and He is there!

I have such a great cloud story, but no photos of it to share. 

Years ago, when my son was young, we used to spend an enormous amount of time together driving to his soccer tournaments both near and far.  These were the best times, as just he and I would have hours to talk about everything uninterrupted.  One day as we were driving, we looked up, and there was a cloud in shape of an angel soaring above us.  Her wings and gown spanned for what seemed like miles before us.  It was breathtaking!  We can't remember who won or lost the game that day, or even where we were heading or coming back from, but we will always remember the angel in the clouds who was watching over us and we still talk about it today (and he's 18 now).

If I had a photo, I'd share it with the group.  But, all you need to do is use your imagination and picture a soccer mom and her young son driving alone, and seeing such an immense and powerful site.

Elizabeth, when we are facing the darkest of clouds, with faith, we can find comfort in knowing that sunshine is not far. I'll never forget the moment when I was reading in my daily devotion book as I was feeling the presense of those dark clouds in my life and the reading spoke of Gods presence all around us just like when it rains God is all around us and at that very moment I looked out my kitchen window as the skies opened up with rain - so even in the darkest moments, God can shine through. It was a moment that moved me beyond words.

Do you guys ever watch Joel Osteen? One of his favorite sayings is that if you wasn't so close to your goal, the enemy wouldn't be pressing you so hard (may not be the exact terminology). It's the same saying as "it's always darkest before the dawn" or "the light at the end of the tunnel" or "the brightest sun is behind the darkest clouds". There is something to those catch phrases we've been taught in years past. We need to be thankful for those times when we feel we can hardly make it (which is incredibly difficult) because when we make it through those times, I feel the Lord smiles and says,"you did good" or when someone does us wrong, we don't need to worry about it. The Lord says he'll take care of those who harm you. So let it go and know you just qualified for double blessings:)  We just keep on believing and kept on smiling, even when we want to cry.  We all fall & feel less than christian like at times, but we don't stay there. We get back up and we get going again.

Have you ever been Suzy happiness at work & in front of clients & then go into your office or the bathroom just to cry?  I have.  I know when I'm feeling low, I like to sulk. I like to wallow in everything wrong. "everything I touch is bad", "this market is never going to pick up", "I'm going to have to get a real job, we're not going to make it", "how are we going to make the house payment,car payment, tuition payments, utility payments....". I usually stay there a day or two and then by praying & pushing and thanking God, those feelings seem to go away.

There is an expression that says "All we need in life to be happy is something to be enthusiastic about". Isn't that the truth!  We can find happiness anywhere, no matter what the circumstance. 

Perfect example:I was just on a political blog and with all the negativity (some on my part I must admit) was getting stressed out. I logged off, sit in my chair and heard a kitty meowing outside. A kitty, here at the office...go figure! I decided to switch gears and now the stress is gone.  Sounds silly I know, but that kitty cat is giving me peace right now :)  Like Joel says, don't let anyone steal your joy!

Take Care

just beautiful pictures, did you take these, but i love pictures off the sky , makes me fell like i am in heven, crazy i guess, thanks keep putting the pictures on, thanks patt

Elizabeth,

Thank-you very much for the encouraging post. I loved the song on the video!

We serve an awsome God!

Your clouds are beautiful  black clouds are just great, thanks for all you do ,keep up the good work. patt