Clouds and Jackets

The dark clouds of last night’s rain are drifting eastward. Fitting weather to usher in Lent. The clouds of our sin and sadness, reflection and repentance, float around us this week. We are reminded on Ash Wednesday that we are but dust and ashes. Yet, with the clouds can come refreshing rain. The water of baptism is our beautiful reminder that rain clouds come and go, but our Living Water never leaves us. In the soul-searching time of Lent, we bring our own dark clouds into His light of forgiveness and renewal. Jesus knows what to do with our dark clouds. Some He will dissolve with a breath, others He will coax to rain so we can deal with it and then be refreshed. Seems like sometimes He gives us His rain jacket and weathers the storm by our side.

Paul said, “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” (Colossians 3:12) Wish we could find that special jacket online? Too easy. It is a priceless process of change as we shed our old clothes and put on His. That’s the kind of jacket Jesus offers us when it’s raining. He says, “Put this on and be like Me. Learn what it means to wear it, learn to share it, when it’s cloudy and when it’s sunny.” That’s the jacket we can give to our brothers and sisters, our family of faith, and miraculously, find another just like it every morning. Welcome to Lent, friends. I love your jacket! ~Tracy