Finding perspective in the haze.

When all you see is smoke...

           

                I squint to look at my students as they sit in the haze that has seemed to encompass the entire room. They sit hunched over their midterm examinations struggling to remember things we learned during this quarter. Today I taught them the phrase, “It’s just not my day.” Because it hasn't been my day. In fact, I've had a few of those days recently. Perhaps you have also.
                The past few days everything has been a sort of smoky haze. No one is really sure what’s causing it. I've included a picture of the view from my window taken on different days this fall. The picture in the top left corner was taken yesterday afternoon after things had cleared up some. Before it cleared, it was impossible to even see the ground looking from 11th floor or to see another building. (Today it was even harder to see while we were actually walking outside. Many of my students didn't even come to class.) I don’t share these pictures for you to think, “Poor them ... I could never live there...” So, if this is your thought and you fail to at least attempt to see another perspective, it feels like you’ll have missed the point.
                Today I've been reminded of the time when Father led his people with a cloud by day. I don’t know what the cloud looked like, I don’t know if it smelled, tasted or if it made it so they couldn't see but a few feet in front of them. Honestly, I don’t think I've ever given it much thought before now. I wonder if sometimes he does protect us with His cloud. He helps us to see only what’s needed so we’ll stay with Him in the present and we’ll trust Him with the future. 

How do you handle things when it feels like you’re walking through the smoky cloud and you can’t see the future clearly?

                Thank you for your pr’s and support. This month is bringing me to my knees and it's nice to have company there! We're all looking forward in Hope that the rain will come soon to help the smoke to settle. In the meantime, while I sit inside it gives me more time for introspection which is strangely helping bring perspective.