You Are My Sunshine
They say you never really miss something until it’s gone. Well, I can agree with that.
Thinking of living in an area where sunlight is sparse wigs me out. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind a drizzly day. The thought of spending the day curled up with a good book, a soft blanket and a hot cup of joe is my idea of a vacation. And twenty hours of dark? Well, I do like my sleep...but honestly, I gotta have my sunshine!
Recently we were blessed with some mighty good rain, which is a huge relief for those of us who like our ponds full and our crops growing; but after the third or fourth day, maybe it was the fifth I lost count, I was having a hard time being grateful.
A few years ago I learned not to pray for or against rain after a severe drought followed by a major flooding came to our area, so choosing my thoughts during those days where I was fed up with the mud, constant moisture and clouds was tricky.
During the end of that time I even caught myself feeling gray and dismal myself. That’s not like me.
Suddenly my mornings started off with grumbling and I was dragging myself out of bed. I didn’t want to seize the day at all. I just wanted to curl up and mope. Frustration covered me like a weighted blanket as it seemed that every single thing I did was a tiring effort. My focus was muddy and I just didn’t want to do anything. I seriously contemplated the depression of people I know. Hearing their struggles and knowing their fight against the smothering darkness of the disease became real to me that week. All the encouragement and pep talks I would give to them, I wasn’t even wanting to give myself. It was quickly becoming a dark issue that I almost gave in to…
Luckily, the sun finally came out and I could hardly make myself go inside. I just wanted to soak up as much as I could. It felt amazing!
While I was soaking up some rays, my mind sang, “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you’ll never know dear, how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away…”
I thought about those people who don’t see the sunshine. Friends that stay in the darkness. Family members who draw away and cover themselves with what they think is true. Those who have lost loved ones to the never ending darkness...and have contemplated the same for themselves.
What am I doing to show them the son? How am I sharing the warmth and all the goodness that comes from the son? The SON…S-O-N.
Those dark and heavy feelings that I was experiencing on those cloudy days aren’t unlike a life without Jesus. I felt lost, confused, disoriented and empty. I was cold and miserable. No song was in my heart, I grumbled and complained. Happiness was not a feeling that I had at all and I struggled to find any good in my day, I just wanted it to end.
However, when that sun rose up past the clouds that beautiful morning I could NOT contain my glee! Happy songs were pouring from my soul and my list of thanks was the longest I’ve ever exclaimed. I may have done a little jig...I dunno, but I stood in the freezing cold, in my pajamas until that glorious orange ball broke beyond the clouds and blinded me with it’s stunning, fiery, blazing light.
Everything changed in that moment. All those dark feelings melted away and I could only be grateful. I was grateful that my body ached and caused me to get up early. I was grateful the dog wanted out giving me the amazing opportunity to watch the sun come up. I was grateful to be alive.
Sometimes God feels far away and unreachable. Those are the times that He’s waiting for you to go to Him. Likely you are so caught up in the busy-ness of life that you cannot hear Him calling to you. Worry, fear, frustration, stress, feelings of inadequacy get in the way.
1 Kings 19
Maybe you know someone who’s feeling those things. Do they know how you feel about them? Do they know the warm love, acceptance and freedom that Jesus gives? Maybe they need to know that they are YOUR sunshine. Even better, be their sunshine. Make them happy when skies are gray. Let them know how much you love them and make sure they don’t take your sunshine away…
I wish “Sonny” days for you always. I pray that the glory of God shines so brightly on you that you can’t help but feel His warmth throughout your soul and let it pour out onto anyone who comes within sight of you.
Isaiah 60:1, Psalm 27:1
