The Sudden Dark Clouds

The other morning, I looked out my favorite upstairs window and saw this very pretty sky.  The puffy clouds and the sunshine reminded me of summer.

Not long after, however, I noticed from another room that it seemed darker outside.  I went back to the window and was shocked at what I saw.

Whoa!  In such a short time the scene had totally changed.  We went from bright and happy to dark and foreboding very quickly as a cold front began blowing in.

I have had those sudden dark times in my life. 

That Sunday years ago when our normal day turned into terror as Aaron lay on our kitchen floor, seizing violently.  The blur of a frantic call to the medical clinic…the ambulance…the German children’s hospital.  The stabs of deep fear mixed with the frustration of the language barrier and the culture that was in many ways unfamiliar. 

We went from worshipping God at church that morning to being blind-sided by a situation that we were totally unprepared for.

But let me tell you that Psalm 18:28 is true!

            “The Lord my God illumines my darkness.”

He was there with us in that foreign hospital room, during all the tests, and the diagnosis…and He has not stopped walking with us on this road of special needs.

My prayer list keeps getting longer with names of so many who are hurting and struggling through various sudden changes.

Gary’s cousin, now a much-too-young widower whose precious wife collapsed and was gone.

A friend’s daughter…a young wife and mother…fighting cancer.

A cousin and a friend recently widowed.

Jobs ended.

Marriages over.

Cancer returning.

Listen to what else David says in Psalm 27:1:

            “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

God brightens the unknown!

His light shines brightest in the dark.

His character positively glows in our deepest hurts and with our tear-stained cheeks.

And we have no reason to fear because He is fighting for us.  Psalm 27:1 continues:

            “The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread?”

I love the song, Blessings, by Laura Story.  Read the lyrics:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand

To ease our suffering

And all the while, You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your word is not enough

And all the while, You hear each desperate plea

And long that we’d have faith to believe.

‘Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?

What if Your healing comes through tears?

And what if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near?

And what if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

I saw this beautiful scene a short time later, after the scary dark clouds had gone away, and I was reminded that God is still our light and our salvation.

Don’t fear, dear ones.  God is still there in the clouds, and He WILL illumine your darkness with His sweet presence.

Author: Patty hesaidwhatks

I'm Patty and I write about our adult son who has Epilepsy and Autism, who still lives with my husband and me, and who is a package full of many surprises and joys and challenges and TALK! Lots of talking, which creates laughter and some other reactions as well. I also write about how God shows Himself to me in everyday life.

33 thoughts on “The Sudden Dark Clouds”

  1. Patty, you are so right. When we cry and feel surrounded by darkness, the Lord is near. When things don’t go right, we cling more tightly to our dear good Shepherd that is near not only in good times but also when we go through th dark valleys. He is our comfort, helper, the essence of love and light! Abundant blessings!

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  2. I have often told others that it is always sunny out, it simply depends on your elevation. But when my own elevation is only here on flat ground, with dark clouds and lightning all around, it is very hard to remember. Great photos with this post. Have a blessed week, Patty.

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  4. I’ve been in awe of God’s creativity in the high and wide sky lately as I’ve taken notice in clouds, sunrises, sunsets and the starry night sky, and just like your picture shows, the sunbeams are my favorite!!
    What a great analogy your words speak, Patty. He is near us no matter the forecast. ❤️

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  5. ANOTHER soul-touching post, Patty. First, tears welled in my eyes as I read your experience in that German hospital, and the way Psalm 18:28 ministered to you. Second, we too pray for many loved ones navigating uncertainty, pain, or trouble. Most recently, long-time friends just received disturbing news from their son. Heartbreaking. I’m going to pray that Son-beams break through the clouds of disappointment and hurt, bringing them hope! (P.S. I too love that Laura Story song, Blessings. Sometimes God’s blessings do come through raindrops!)

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    1. I’m so sorry about your friend’s son, Nancy. This world is so, so hard. Everywhere I turn I see and hear of such heartbreak. Not to sound negative, but I know we all feel the heaviness. May so many hopeless realize that God desires to shine in their darkness. I know your friends are very thankful for your love and prayers, Nancy.

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  11. Pingback: The Sudden Dark Clouds – Drawing Closer to Christ

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