“Life holds so many simple blessings, each day bringing its own individual wonder”–John McLeod
Grab a scrap of paper and list a few simple blessings you’ve enjoyed lately—maybe even today. I’ll wait for you!
…OK. Did anyone choose clouds?
Yes, clouds.
I love clouds. I love how varied they are. From feathery wisps to dollops of froth. From great swaths of flat sheets to billowing thunderheads that soar miles into the atmosphere.
Wait a minute. Clouds can’t really be considered a simple blessing. True, the glorious views are available to all, free of charge. And on most days, some sort of cloud is visible.
But the process by which clouds are formed is not so simple.
Perhaps your second grade teacher performed the same experiment for your class that Mrs. Sturgess demonstrated for mine. (Don’t ask me how long ago!) She put a pie plate of water on the window sill/shelf on Friday. On Monday we measured the level of water, and marveled that some of the water had disappeared! Where had it gone?
Mrs. Sturgess explained evaporation to us. Little water droplets, too tiny to see, were floating in the air. They gathered up in the sky to form clouds. Incredible!
Her answers generated more questions. If it’s just water that forms the clouds, how can there be so many different forms? And how do all those little droplets get together in groups anyway?
Clouds are not a simple blessing.
Now look at your list. Are there any truly simple blessings? I doubt it. God’s creative, powerful genius is behind each one. And it’s probable that multiple steps are involved to provide each blessing.
Then consider this: we experience hundreds, perhaps thousands of these miracles—every day. “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 9:10).
In the final analysis, “simple blessing” has to be the most contradictory oxymoron in existence.
But John McLeod did get one thing right: the wonder part.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your abounding love that prompts you to lavish blessings upon us every day. Each one is a miracle, a precious treasure to savor. My mind staggers under the immensity of your magnificence. My heart overflows with inexpressible joy when I consider your abundant goodness.
May your praise always be upon my lips (Psalm 34:1).
From the Inside Out 
As I look out my office window, it is raining, the sky is gray, yet there are no discernible clouds. It’s just cold, damp, and gray. …And I love it. I love cloudy days and I’ll tell you why: During a chapel service at Asbury Seminary, the guest speaker, Dr. Mark Allan Powel, said that he loved cloudy days. He said this in the context of the second coming of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him…” (ESV). So Dr. Powel said he loved cloudy days because it upped the odds that Jesus was coming! He’d be able to see Jesus!
Works for me!
By the way: My favorite clouds are mammatus.
Great post.
Now I have another reason to love clouds. Thank you, Jeremy–for the anecdote and for reading the post. Promptly, too!
Another beautiful writing from a beautiful person. Thank you for sharing your inner thoughts.
Thank you, Grace!
ooo I love clouds and even developed a book proposal about them and wrote a blog series too. Looking up at them I always find lessons. Glad to find another cloud chaser!
I’m smiling, Jean, just knowing I’ve found another cloud-lover. I’ll think of you now as I keep a lookout on the clouds!
I’m so impressed with Jeremy’s comment. It is OBVIOUS that you and Steve have raised some amazing people!
Thank you, Cheri, but our kids turned out well *in spite of me* more than because of me. God has been SO good!
Today is a cloudy day and I love it because it gives me a day to rest.
Ah, yes. The calming coziness of a cloudy day, that makes us want to curl up with a good book and drink tea. We all need days like that every now and then. Enjoy!
Nancy, clouds have always fascinated me because of their ever changing shapes and sizes. They are even more fascinating when you fly above them and look down on them. They open your mind to wonder.
So THAT’s why I love clouds–they open my mind to wonder! Wondering is a delightful occupation that always turns my mind to God and his amazing creative genius. That’s two more things we have in common, Ruth: love of clouds, and pleasure in wondering!
You said, “And it’s probable that multiple steps are involved to provide each blessing.” You are so right! I repeat my dad’s story, on what happened when he died to people again and again, because many steps were iinvolved to provide the blessing to ME. I am so amazed at how it all happened, still am. I love clouds also, it’s God’s artwork just like the sunset. I love looking at the cloud and finding pictures in them. One time I saw God’s hand in the clouds, It was huge just like he is. I wish I had a camera, I could take pictures all day long of the clouds. I love to see pictures of the clouds also. I don’t get out as much as I used to, so it’s nice to them on facebook.
Thank you for adding your “Amen” to the post. To think that God was able to BLESS you when your dad died is truly awe-inspiring.
From now on, when I take delight in cloud formations, I’ll of think of you, too!