Will we say that in the fall when trees put on fall colors; the first crisp 50 degree morning arrives; the sun shines with such brightness one can hardly see; the sky is a clear, deep blue; and the bright, fall sunlight highlights every delicate hue of nature's kaleidoscope?

In our late summer's heat when 100 degree days make the air still and heavy, turn green to brown, and transform the ground to concrete or dust, we talk about "oppressiveness." A blue sky with its sunshine merely adds to the "oppressiveness."

In our "dead of winter" cold when 30 mile-an-hour northern winds blow air chilled to temperatures under 20 degrees, we talk about the "penetrating" cold. A blue sky with its sunshine is no more than an empty appearance playing tricks on expectations.

So, when do we say, "What a dreary day!" Dreary days come any time of the year when cloudy days follow cloudy days. We associate dreariness with cloudiness. How strange! Clouds raise our water levels in the winter. Clouds make possible the spring's life. Clouds break summer's drought. Clouds produce fall's rest. Clouds bring life. Why? Clouds bring water.

A few days ago I talked by phone to a person whose body is able to do little. With joy and purpose, he shared his dreams and projects. His actual world is quite small. Yet, he discovers ways to share Jesus Christ to other countries. He expressed gratitude for his strength and health as he told of others living with horrible limitations. I wondered, "Were I in his condition, would I see only dreariness? Or would I see clouds offering me life? Would I stop living or live fully?"

May all of us see the clouds. May all of us see the life they bring. May those clouds bring us the water of life. May we drink and live.

John 4:10 "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."