Day 196: The Clouds Below

It is interesting how differently a cloud can look when viewed from above compared to its appearance from below. Today as I traveled back to Herat from Kabul, I was impressed by the appearance of the clouds. As we flew high in the sky, the clouds below were completely white, bright, beautiful, clean--bringing thoughts of peace, calm, and things celestial to the mind. As we descended into Herat, these same beautiful clouds turned dark and threatening. What only moments before was bright and beautiful, quickly became dark and gloomy.


I have been blessed in my life to spend most of my time high in the sky, enjoying the beautiful white clouds below. Little turbulence has come along the path of my life. I am grateful to a loving Father for this great blessing. However, like everyone else, I have occasionally fallen and faced the storm below. I remember the day, nearly a year ago, when I was told about this deployment. Fifteen long months, separation from my beautiful wife and children, loss of the comforts of home--it definitely seemed more like the darkness and the storm, than the beauty of the clouds above. Tears have been shed, loneliness has been felt, and some hardships endured. However, as I look back on the past 196 days, I realize that this experience has helped me grow, has taught me to appreciate and love my family more, and has given me the opportunity to trust in my Father in Heaven and come to know Him better. I’ve learned that life, like the clouds, often appears dark and stormy. However, on the other side of the storm clouds of life, always lies the brightness and peace that we all desire.