Recently my husband and I were in the car and we were on our way to somewhere. The skies loomed with dark clouds and the last bits of the sun that was peering out from the surrounding gloomy clouds could still be seen.
It was then, I exclaimed to my husband "Look! Silver lining in the dark clouds!". It was one of the most shiny silver linings I have seen. In fact, I don't recall myself really paying attention to the silver lining which was shining so brightly as the dark clouds continue to block out the sun.
The melancholic in me begin to ponder about life. As I think about my life in general, I discovered that I had the same attitude towards life in certain situations. What I meant to say is that it is also during dark times of my life that I dont pay attention to the silver lining that is still shining ever so brightly in my troubled and sad times.
Perhaps because like the clouds and sky that are so dark during heavy rains and that these dark clouds sprawl fast over the sun, problems and difficult situations too seem to spread out quickly, blocking the good and happy times in my life. Maybe my eyes have been so affixed on the problems and hard times that my eyes cannot see or pay attention to the silver lining in these times.
While I was thinking about all these, it started to rain. The smell of rain always stirs my senses. It was not too long that the rain clouds were blown away by the wind and the sun emerged again. I suppose like flowers, they need both the rain and the sun to be able to grow and I need these ("rainy") times to appreciate the good times, to treasure the happy moments and to be able to grow - well.. spiritually and mentally in these aspects at least.
More importantly, to recognise that my God is sovereign and to press forward and wait for the sun to come forth again in rainy days in my life. It can't rain forever.
Lately, whenever I see dark clouds looming again, the first thing I try to look out for is where is the silver lining. When I spot it, it still is as beautiful. I hope in 2009, I continue to look to God - my silver lining, come what may.
