Every summer in Southern California a phenomenon known as “June Gloom” occurs. June Gloom is a weather pattern that causes overcast skies during the early summer months. It lasts for days, or even weeks, depending on the year, and this year it decided to get an early start and stay a while.

I can manage gray skies when it’s winter, but it’s reprehensible during summer (Even if it does happen every year ).  My brain says, “Summer = sun + heat,” while Mother Nature messes with my psyche seemingly indifferent to my logic. She was relentless this year.

Once July came and it was still gloomy outside, I had to make a decision. I had to reconcile my expectations. My “summer should be sunny” and my “June Gloom lasts no longer than June” expectation needed to shift. I was going to have to be patient and wait a little while longer  for the sun to shine… which got me thinking… How often do we  find ourselves waiting for the sun to shine?

As I waited, I realized that this was more than just waiting for the weather to get better. It was about allowing circumstance to determine my life instead of my character determining my circumstance. I was allowing the June Gloom to deter me from enjoying myself. My desire was to go outside and play, but I wasn’t allowing myself to do that until the weather got better, or until the conditions and circumstance met my expectations. I could have just as easily decided that summer starts when I want it to instead of waiting for the sun… but I didn’t.

This happens a lot. Not just with the weather, but in all aspects of life. It happens when we think we can’t live the way we desire until something changes or until conditions are perfect – “I know I’m a better employee than I’ve been, but I’ll do better at work when I am paid more,” or “I want to give more but I’ll do it once I’m wealthy.” I’m not saying that you shouldn’t desire more compensation or wealth. What I am saying is that those things should never deter you from being who you want or think you should be. Expectations are going to go unmet and circumstance aren’t always going to be favorable, but it’s what you do in those situations that matters most to those around you, as well as to yourself.

We are called people of light for a reason(1Thess. 5). Light doesn’t change whether it’s bright or dark out. It actually stands out more during poor circumstance. We can always find reasons to remain the same, but those with strong character realize that being who you know you should be starts now and not when conditions are perfect.

So what if it’s cloudy out? People need the sun… and maybe that’s you.

“But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough, can you see the stars.” - Martin Luther King Jr.