Seeing Above the Fog

If you live in Oregon or have spent any amount of time here it is no secret that winters aren't very cheery with the rain and gray skies. I have always been one to buck the system a bit and proudly admit that I love the rain and all that comes with the cold dreary season. That is, until the sun comes out and I realize how much the weather really was affecting my mood.

Lately we have had crazy weather with a mix of cold, wet fog and warm sunny skies and that all depends on what town you are in. Some places you can barely see 20 ft in front of you and others it feels as if Spring is in full swing.

There is a reality that the sun gives us a more clear outlook on life, we feel better, move more, and are generally happier. But in addition to the benefits of vitamin D, I see a great analogy with this fog and sun when applied to seasons in my life. 

. . . . .

It was just a year ago that Mike and I said to each other for the millionth time how we would love a little piece of property, some space to call our own. It seemed impossible, truly. I remember sitting at our dining room table one afternoon writing (or at least trying to), I was staring out the window and imagining what it would be like to see further than the fence 6 feet away. So I ran a quick search for houses in our area. I came across one that seemed just perfect, there was a big yard and flower beds and lots of trees. Spontaneously that night we all hopped in the pickup to take a look...little did we know we had just taken the first step. Turns out we met our Realtor and even though that house wasn't the one for us, it was the one that inspired us to take another step toward something we had always dreamed of.

Most of this journey reminds me a lot of the blinding fog. We couldn't see around the next bend or the exact outcome. Just like driving home in the fog a couple nights ago. It was dark and so thick we only knew where we were on a back country road due to landmarks. We crept along at a snails pace because we couldn't see further than the hood of our car. This past year felt the same way, there were days when we didn't know what was next or how it would all turn out. We couldn't see far enough ahead to plan every detail. At times, it was just plain scary. But God wasn't worried. He saw it all from a different perspective, He knew the sun was on the other side of that fog.  

He just asked one thing from us, to get in the car and drive. To trust Him, and believe that He had something perfect for us. With much work and many steps later here we are, our house sold quick and we lived a great adventure last Summer. I can't even believe we have been in our place 6 months now. Living in the sun!

As much as I wish it was, life isn't always a formula and a perfect time table. Sometimes it seems easier to do something, anything. To take a step of action. Yet the fog lingers for much longer than I'd like. Seasons where being content and still are the "steps of faith". Seasons where I get in the car and start to drive and God lovingly turns me around and says now is not the time. 

But then, there are those moments when it IS God's perfect timing and all He asks is that we take one step in a direction. He guides us through that thick damp depressing fog and suddenly the skies burst open and we find our self in a whole new world. 

A whole new world.


With the blue skies and warm sun comes hope and a reminder of what is above the fog. Beauty beyond what the eye can see. Plans for our life greater than we can ever imagine.

He sees.

He knows. 

He has great plans for us and they are not to stay in the fog!

So when areas of my life remain in the fog, I will remember and keep this bright blue sky as a visual of God's faithfulness. 

Whatever fog you find yourself in today, may you not give up. Keep driving, keep trusting, because that warm sun IS above the fog. Thank you for reading.