It’s easy to see God’s goodness when the sun is shining and all is well, but His goodness is also present on cloudy, rainy days. All serve a purpose and all meet our needs. So if you face a gray day, or if the coming winter months seem a bit bleak, have faith and know in your heart that God’s plan is at work.

Everyone experiences a dry period in their faith—a time when they feel uninspired and unheard in prayer. It’s important to realize that everyone has them… and the way out… is to pray anyway. Reach out to God, and ask Him to heal the desert place of your spiritual life.

Sometimes volunteering might seem like a thankless task, but the truth is, when you lend your time and energy you benefit as well. If you feel like your best efforts are hardly making a difference, remind yourself that every little bit of generosity counts and that you are blessed by caring for others.