The Weather of My Heart

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The Weather of My Heart

The sunrise this morning stopped me in my tracks—an unspoken invitation to worship the Artist behind every color, shape, and shadow. I hadn’t realized how desperately I needed that invitation. I needed a break from sorrow to breathe in the goodness of God’s grace.

Something deep within me awakens as the sky blazes crimson over the waters of Puget Sound. I sit quietly, watching the transformation unfold. Clouds and waves are awash in brilliant red before gradually surrendering to softer shades of rose and pink.

This is the drama before sunrise—the prelude to glory.

Then the sun crowns the horizon, spilling liquid gold across the water. Its brilliance is too bright to look at directly, yet I can’t help noticing how its light transforms everything it touches—the water, the shoreline, the clouds…even me.

As I watched the changing sky, a thought surfaced. It’s remarkable how much the weather outside can influence the weather inside me. Perhaps you’ve noticed this as well.

But a different question settled into in me.

What will the weather of my heart be today?

Will those around me experience the warmth of encouragement or the chill of criticism? Will gratitude shine like the morning sun, or will impatience gather like storm clouds? Will I offer hope, or allow despair to cast its shadow?

I know how quickly my own forecast can change. A difficult conversation, disappointing news, physical exhaustion, or lingering grief can darken the skies of my spirit if I’m not careful. While, I cannot control the weather outside. I can surrender the “weather” within to the One who still calms storms and faithfully paints every dawn.

Each sunrise reveals the power and creativity of its Maker. God, the Master Artist, paints with endless imagination, creating a living canvas that changes by the minute. Every brushstroke stills my spirit and awakens gratitude within me. I find myself whispering, “Thank You, Father, for Your extravagant beauty and goodness.”

Creation doesn’t make God more present, it makes me more aware of His presence.

He made me an artist—someone who longs to capture beauty with both paint and words. Yet sometimes I need to quiet that creative instinct, and the urge to analyze composition, color, value, light, and shadow.

Maybe, just maybe, He is inviting me to put my pen down and lean back, watch, listen, take delight in what He has made…and simply be dazzled.

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.”

Psalm 19:1–2 (NIV)