Sunshine Amidst the Gray Day

The sun was out today! It’s hard not to celebrate. Maybe shed a tear or two.

Quick break from the math test to smile for a picture.

Quick break from the math test to smile for a picture.

I always wonder if people in other states (namely those in the south and south west) mark their days in an opposite fashion to WA residents.

“I remember we had a nice cloudy morning two weeks ago.”

Is that what someone in Phoenix or Sacramento says? Even in February, one of WA’s typical months of rain and gray days? Do they look at the 10-day forecast longingly, hoping for a break in the relentless sunshine?

Of course, my kids love the rainy weather.
Sigh. Born and bred Washingtonians.

“Mom, don’t you love this foggy, gray day?” And this without any trace of sarcasm. “Maybe it will rain later,” they say to one another hopefully. What is a sun seeking mother to do? Punish them? “Go to your rooms!” That doesn’t work; they just happily snuggle under covers and read their books.

David and Marco find a cozy spot.

David and Marco find a cozy spot.

When they were little, the children all thought it was summer if the sun peaked out from the gray blanket of winter skies.

Flip flops and shorts appear.

“What are you doing?” I would ask.
“Um, hello, the sun is out.” (The DUHHH was implied)
“Yes, but it’s January and cold.”
“I don’t think so, Mom, look” (pointing helpfully out the window), “the sun is shining.”

How could I argue with such logic?

My kids are pure sunshine in my life!

My kids are pure sunshine in my life!

Perhaps the gray days of Washington or the bone chilling cold of Michigan and Minnesota (family homes) or even the blistering hot of warm climates all serve in part to remind us we live in a fallen world. There is no “perfect” home this side of heaven. One day. One day those who love Jesus will dwell in a new city.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Revelation 21:23-24

Can’t even fathom that. Walking by the light of God’s glory. Oh my.

Until then I will enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. And I will learn from my sweet children, who delight in both the rain and the sunshine.

Project 365 – Day 41
Kathy

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3 thoughts on “Sunshine Amidst the Gray Day”

  1. Mmmm. Isn’t it sweet how God uses our children to teach us? Our kids have loved rain and gray days ever since their 2 years in the Middle East. We found how true the saying is that “all sunshine makes a desert.” We thought our 3 years in gray, rainy Norway might have “cured” them, but apparently not so! Maybe western WA also got into their blood.

  2. Hi. What a fun blog Katherine. Here in Minnesota we love the sunshine. We have a lot of sunshine here in Minnesota. Our winter days when full of sunshine make the cold tolerable. We love a good rainstorm also. Loud and windy. I love you all.

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