It鈥檚 been that kind of spring: sun and cloud today, rain yesterday and forecast again for tomorrow. Across our country flooding has reached emergency proportions and out here, at least, even when the sun does shine, it鈥檚 accompanied by a nippy breeze. For whatever reason, the seasons seem confused as to when they are supposed to begin and end.
In order to avoid a litany of my feelings on the matter, however, I decided to gather a few pertinent quotes. I鈥檒l start with one by Lew Schneider: 鈥淲e use a really strong sun-block when we go to the beach with the kids. It鈥檚 SPF 80: You squeeze the tube, and a sweater comes out.鈥�
Here鈥檚 another from an anonymous source: 鈥淎nyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.鈥�
Then there鈥檚 this wise quote attributed to Saint Basil: 鈥淢any a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away the hunger.鈥�
Right on, Saint Basil. Not only can the weather adversely affect our (at least my) attitudes, difficult times of any sort can dampen our spirits and result in a sense of gloom when we forget that God never leaves us, no matter what the forecast or the circumstances.
James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter to fellow believers in which he pointed out the value that can come from trials and afflictions if we view them with a right attitude.
鈥淐ount it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [endurance or perseverance].鈥� James 1:2,3
Are bad things suddenly turned into good things? No, but as we look to the Lord for His strength and comfort, we will find ourselves stronger and increasingly able to reap greater abundance of spiritual nourishment.
