What a difference clouds make. When I fly, I like to sit by the window and take pictures of the cloud formations from above. It’s amazing how something made of mist can appear so solid and substantial from a distance.

 

The 2014 – 2015 tetrad of four blood moons has been so interesting to follow. I was totally awed by the first one—and very disappointed when clouds blocked my view of the last three.

 

Sitting outside with my camera last night, I knew the moon’s location because I could see a diffused bright area behind the clouds—I just couldn’t see the moon. Even though I’ve seen the moon in that particular place thousands of times, and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was there—I still couldn’t see or take a picture of it.

 

 

However, my sister in Maryland had an un-obscured view of the moon and got some gorgeous pictures.

 

 

As I waited last night, I thought about God and how it’s sometimes hard to see him; especially when clouds of life block my view. Even when I’ve seen him in my life thousands of times, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’s there—it’s still hard sometimes to see him.

 

But thank the LORD, his presence is totally unaffected by my ability or inability to see him.

 

And if I can believe there was a gorgeous blood moon displayed in the heavens last night—even though I didn’t see any part of it—then how much more can I believe he’s here—even when I don’t see him.

 

 

Your unfailing love, O LORD,

 

is as vast as the heavens;

 

your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

 

Psalm 36:5

 

Feeling the presence of God is wonderful, but what about the times that you don’t? What about the dreary dark days when you remember how it used to feel, but if your very existence depended upon it, you couldn’t regenerate the feelings?

 

A good friend gave me a copy of “Streams in the Desert” at the gathering following my husband’s funeral almost four years ago. The first year’s readings seemed harsh; they expected more of me than I had left inside. The next year somehow lighter; and each reading since has grown sweeter.

 

This year’s September 6^th reading intrigued me. It talked about the difference between realizing and recognizing God’s unseen presence.

 

In order to realize and feel God’s unseen presence, something has to prompt me—a feeling, a physical condition or possibly even the weather.

 

But independent of all that, I can recognize and acknowledge God’s unseen presence simply by choosing to do so.

 

And what a powerful difference that makes.

 

God’s words to Jesus:

 

 

 

He also says to the Son,

 

“In the beginning, Lord,

 

you laid the foundation of the earth

 

and made the heavens with your hands.

 

 

 

They will perish, but you remain forever.

 

They will wear out like old clothing.

 

 

 

You will fold them up like a cloak

 

and discard them like old clothing.

 

But you are always the same;

 

you will live forever.”

 

Hebrews 1:10-12

 

 

 

So He remains—forever and always.

 

Amen.