Revel in the Sunny Days

There’s something special about a crisp, winter’s day. The type that bursts through your window in the morning in all its brightness: when sunshine clamours at the closed curtains, demanding to be noticed and appreciated. When there are blue skies for miles around and fresh, cold air that buries itself deep into your lungs. On days like this, the world seems to temporarily wake up from the grey fog of winter. The heady slumber that seems to cover us at this time of the year is temporarily lifted and our eyes are opened once again to the beauty of the outside world.

In moments like this, it’s easy to give thanks; to wonder at the beauty of creation around us and bask in the strong rays of sun pouring down onto us. Unsurprisingly, it’s easier to count our blessings, to love and feel loved in return, to see the positives in each and every situation in this sunny context. Because everything looks more beautiful when the sun is shining. The very essence of God seems more tangible. It’s undoubtedly easier to present a happy, sunny countenance when the weather outside is echoing this sentiment. 

However, the beauty of a winter’s day such as today is in its short-lived nature. The likelihood is that, when tomorrow comes, we will be met with a cloudy, grey scene once again. Not because I am being pessimistic, but because it is winter and the cyclic nature of our seasons demands it. 

So, the challenge is this. Revel in the sunny days, wonder at the beauty around you and allow yourself to stop and catch your breath in the good times. 

Capture it.

Remember it.

Hold on to it.

  

Tomorrow might be a grey and gloomy day, but – if you look close enough – the beauty is still there. You may need to squint your eyes a bit to see it through the rain, but there is always something to be thankful for, even when it feels like it’ll be winter forever. 

And the good news? More sunny days are just around the corner. Not because I’m being unrealistically optimistic, but because it is winter and the cyclic nature of our seasons demands it.

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

(Matt Redman – Blessed be Your Name)