Devotional: “Overcast”
By Lillian Javellana, BSN’81
"The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power. and will not at all acquit the wicked:
the Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm,
and THE CLOUDS ARE THE DUST OF HIS FEET."
Nahum 1:3 KJV
I
Remember when my siblings and I were little kids residing in Bagontaas, we loved to come visit
our grandparents in Kaulayanan where we would have an enjoyable, adventure-filled visit. Fruits
were always in abundance: jackfruits, santol, guavas, pomelos, etc. There were times that we
would save on fare by hiking from Bagontaas to Lolo and Lola's place. Hiking back was not an option,
however, for by then we would have sacks of fruits to take back home with us. So we would wait for a
jeepney. But back then there were very few jeepneys that travelled between Valencia and MVC so we
had to wait a long time.
As a little child I remember my older siblings telling me that we would know if there was a vehicle
coming, even though if we could not see it or hear it yet. They said that by putting our ears close to the
ground we would feel or hear a vehicle approaching. I do not know if that was true or not but as a child I
believed it. I would put my ears close to the dirt. As the afternoon got late though we would be craning
our neck looking towards the direction of MVC for that awaited ride to take us home. And one thing I
have learned and knew for sure was that when a vehicle was approaching, I would see the cloud of dust
far in the distance and that cloud of dust got thicker as the jeepney got closer.
These days as I look up into the desert sky and watch the white, fluffy, feathery clouds floating by, I am
always reminded of God's presence. It makes me smile to think of His "sandaled" feet leaving dust in the
sky for me to see, to let me know that He is close by.
But the sky will not always be blue with white fluffy or feathery clouds. (Not even in the antelope valley.)
There are times when the sky will be overcast; when thick clouds hang low and covers the whole sky so
that even the sun cannot penetrate through. As the gloom seems to hang over our heads darkening and
dampening our spirits making it hard to breathe, it is at this point in time when I remind myself that if
the "dust of His feet" are so thick and low, then He must be really, really close to me!
So my friends, if your sky is overcast and your spirit is feeling low, cheer up! Jesus is really, really near.
Bathe in the light of His presence! Let His glory envelope and enfold you. "The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you all. Amen" Philippians 4:23 NKJV
Lillian C. Javellana (BSN ’81) writes from Palmdale, California, where she SHINES ON! as a nursing
administrator and as a student of the Bible and of nature. She also finds joy in sharing God’s gospel
story with people within her sphere of influence.
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