Someone said there are fifty shades of it. Only fifty? I think they overlooked a few. But I prefer tints anyways.

I do enjoy the occasional gray days – an overcast sky, a little rain – it makes for a snug bit of bliss. I’ll take two, maybe even three days in a row just the same. It’s a change of pace. It can even lead you to refocus or focus on something previously overlooked. 

But I like to know there’s an end to such a forecast. After all, who can handle countless days without sunshine?

It’s too much for the soul to handle.

And so it is with the grayness of life. The darker the trial the harder to bear. But when the trial lightens you’re able to tolerate it a little more. It becomes a little less weighty upon oneself.

When it comes to mixing paint you gradually add white until you’ve reached it the desired tint. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as adding a drop of paint to your palette when it comes to life. A certain trial got you too bogged down? Just squeeze this tube of goop, swirl it around a bit, and things will get easier.

Life doesn’t work that way. Or does it? When it comes to obstacles, trials, and hurdles we certainly can’t paint over them. But don’t they become lighter when we add a couple of drops of the encouragement provided by friends? They certainly become more bearable when we add a gracious heavenly Father to the mix.

Consider your palette. Are you making shades or tints?