Today was one of those gloomy Mondays

I see signs of spring

A green lawn there, a yellow daffodil here

I still have a feeling there’s still something off with most things

Why does my heart race when my needs are met

Why does my breathing quicken as if my soul forgets

That salvation is set

That it will all turn out right

Why then, within myself, is there a fight

Is this all really meaningless

Vapor? For sure

Breath? I guess

I stare out the window to try to catch mine

The dark clouds pass like the time

The fewer people I see, the more I can breathe

Every interaction brings a dilemma

Behind each face there’s a haunting stigma

A code I can’t crack

I’m left feeling helpless

But the weather scares some away

So I get to leave the office a little early on a rainy day

I feel like exploring so I pick up my best friend

We drive to the park to let our legs extend

He’s unphased by the pouring rain

I ask God why I’m anxious

My dog trots through the puddles like we’re at Water Country

On a somber day, the pup is so funny

In no time we’re both soaking wet

As we walk through the woods, my troubles I start to forget

I see God’s greatness

Up in the pines, even outside the library, in the birds, among the green lawns

All hope’s not gone

There’s a manmade stream that runs through the trees

The water flowing through brings a sense of ease

He leads me along the quiet waters for His name’s sake

And though I walk through death’s wake

I won’t be afraid

Be still, my soul

In the pouring rain

I’m not sure my umbrella or my faith shields a thing

My dog runs, delighting in the deluge

What happens in the day I lose

My hands are empty, my eyes tired

My soul soaked like my boots

But my heart stills in a moment in the forest

When I remember this truth

He is with us and He is for us