Clouds on the Inside

Image: Ivan Vranic

Hello Peru Church Friends,

The other afternoon, I stepped outside and knew immediately it was going to rain. The air felt heavier, the sky had a strange greenish cast, and sure enough, within the hour, the downpour came.

We’re pretty good at reading the weather up here in Vermont. We can tell when to close the windows, when to grab a jacket, and when to get the wood stacked before the snow flies

.But I’ve noticed… I’m not always as good at reading the weather inside me. I can miss the signs that a storm is brewing in my heart. Sometimes, it’s a bit of tension in my shoulders when a specific person’s name comes up. Or it’s finding excuses to stay busy instead of having an honest conversation. Sometimes it’s a slight nudge to forgive — that I politely ignore.

The truth is, those are the “clouds” that matter most to pay attention to. They’re signs that something inside needs care — maybe a relationship that needs mending, a grudge that requires letting go, or a hurt that needs to be named.

Lately, I have been working on ways to reduce my storminess.  I notice when my voice or my mood changes around a particular topic or person.  Other times I ask myself, “Is there something here I’m avoiding?”  Or I take a quiet moment to pray, breathe, or listen before reacting.

I’ve found that when I notice the inner weather early, the storms don’t blow up quite so strong. And more often than not, I discover it was an invitation — an opening toward peace, reconciliation, and even joy.

This week, we can all look up at the sky and take a moment to take a peek inside. Because sometimes, the most critical storms to prepare for aren’t the ones we see on the horizon — they’re the ones we feel in our hearts.Hope to see you on Sunday,

With love,

Rev Steve