In August of 2017, we took my twin boys to college for the first time. It was a day of mixed emotions. I was so pleased that they were going to college and would be living near my mom in TN. It was also the beginning of a new chapter of their life and the ending of another.
One of the twins, David, had an old Mitsubishi Mighty Max truck that belonged to his grandfather. Let’s just say it had seen it’s better days. It had served the purpose as a lawn care work truck and a teenage boy’s first vehicle. It wasn’t that “mighty” anymore and could only go about 60-65 mph on the interstate. However, it was David’s means of transportation for a job, therefore, the truck was part of the caravan to college.
We departed that morning on a beautiful, sunny, Carolina day. I had seen the forecast and was aware of the chance of rain later in the day, but was hoping we could make it to our destination before it started. We drove over the beautiful, Appalachian mountains and kept tabs on David, who stayed about 10-15 miles behind us on the interstate. My youngest son rode in the truck with David to answer the phone so we could keep up with them. After a few hours, as predicted, the rain started falling. Just a little shower at first that turned into a heavy downpour making it difficult to see out the windshield. We called David to inform him that he was headed toward heavy rain and to be careful. The harder the rain fell the harder it was to see. After an hour of traveling in the heavy down pour, David finally called and said, “I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to pull over under a bridge, I just needed a break.” So we all pulled over and waited until David was ready to drive again. We started our caravan back on the interstate, and once again, David ended up about 10 miles behind us. The rain continued to fall heavily.
My mom, who was waiting for us at our destination, called to check on us. I told her about the rain, and why it was taking us so long to get there. She said, “just hang in there because it’s sunny and beautiful where I am”. I was so relieved in knowing sunshine was ahead. We finally drove out of the rain as my mom predicted. Suddenly, I remembered David was still behind us in the storm. I called David and told him, “keep going, there’s sunshine ahead in about 10 minutes!” David yelled out, “yes! I can do this!”
In many ways this story reminds me of the Christian journey.
S- (Sunny)
We start off with positive expectations, and excitement about our future. We know there is a possibility of shadows in our future but we hope to avoid them.
H- (Hello Shadows) John 16:33
Eventually the rain comes. Shadows or storms come in many forms; finances, marriage, job, children, parents, health, death and unmet expectations. I find that many people create their own shadows in life by standing in their own sunshine. We make decisions outside of God’s purpose for our life. Some of these decisions affect our health, our family and future. No one can avoid the storms of life but your relationship with God is what will get you through them. There are lessons to learn while in the shadow that fortifies us for the journey.
I- (Intermission) Psalm 9:1,2
Just as my son David got off the road when he felt the pressure of the storm, sometimes we need to pull over when we feel overwhelmed. David found shelter under that bridge, and there is shelter under God’s wings of protection. Nourish yourself, read God’s Word, listen to uplifting music, and make heathy choices physically and mentally. Say “no” to extra activities until you are ready. Shadows are temporary, because they eventually pass away. The intermission during the storm will strengthen you to keep going.
N- (Night is the same as Day to God) Psalm 139:11, 12
In these verses it tells us that God is all around us and that night and day are the same to Him. We see a difference in night and day, but God sees them as one. Our life is composed of events we call “good and bad”. God takes the good and bad and works them together for His good. What happens to planes and birds in the sky when a storm comes? They rise above it. In Heaven, there is no need for the sun because God is the sun. The sun blocks shadows. Don’t let the shadows of yesterday spoil the sunshine of tomorrow.
E- (Encourage others) 2 Corinthians 1:4
You may have been through several storms in your life or maybe just coming out of one right now. Use your experience to encourage someone else along the way. When my mom told me sunshine was ahead, it gave me strength to keep going and then I wanted to tell David the news to encourage him too. You may know someone who is going through the same storm as you have been through and they are a “few miles” behind you. Tell them that they will drive out of the storm eventually. Let them know you’re on the other side of the storm and sunshine is ahead. You can be someone’s sunshine when their skies are gray.
Keep your face toward the “Son” and the shadows will disappear. God loves you and will be your sunshine in the shadows.
Advice from a sunflower; “Be bright, sunny and positive, spread seeds of happiness, rise, shine and hold your head high.”
Tune My Heart 