It was a cold, gray, Winter’s day. Two inches of freshly fallen snow had blanketed the ground. The night before had been so bitterly cold that I had to leave my water dripping to protect the pipes. Still, the roads had been plowed and I had several errands that needed doing. I scraped off the windows, climbed in the car and cranked up the heater. Then I drove out into the grim, gray day. I was determined, though, not to let the coldness and darkness of it all get to me.

I put a CD that I had burned years before into the stereo. It was full of songs about love, songs that made me smile, songs that brought happiness to my heart. Now I normally don’t sing in public. My voice is weak, raspy, and croaky and I don’t want others to suffer through it. But since I was in the car, I turned up the volume and let my voice join in. I may not have made a beautiful noise, but I did make a joyful one. Song after song I sang along. It felt so good to sing again. I smiled, I laughed, I sang, and I let the positivity and love flow from my heart, through my voice, and out into the world. After a while too I noticed something. The sun was starting to break through the clouds. Its light was shining brightly on the snow and make it sparkle with life. It was as if the Heavens had decided to join my song. I sang even louder and let my spirit soar. I felt at one with love, with life, and with God.

God loves us all so much but God doesn’t guarantee us a lifetime of sunny days. Sometimes you just have to sing until the sun comes out. You have to sing until the sun comes out in the sky. You have to sing until the sun comes out of you. You have to create your own light and use it to brighten up the world. Don’t let your music die inside of you then. Sing! Live! Love! Shine! Give your light to the world and your soul to God.