In the Clouds

Cloudberries at Nyrölä, in Central FinlandI'd never heard of cloudberries before I went to live in Finland twenty-some years ago. And I haven't heard of them anywhere else since then. I guess that's because they grow in sub-Arctic regions, and I don't usually hang out in such places unless I'm on a trip back to Finland.

Cloudberries are especially delicious as a jam on ice cream, or as a topping for a Finnish cheese called "leipäjuusto," a squeaky cheese with the consistency of firm tofu, only smoother. Mmmm!

The part about cloudberries that intrigues me, other than their gorgeous bright yellow-orange color, is the word "cloud." Why were they given that name? How are clouds associated with the berries? Was the name chosen because they are so delicate and rare that you think of them as somewhat heavenly?

I happen to have an appointment coming up in the clouds. It's one I'm looking forward to. In fact, my heart sometimes aches with waiting and longing for that appointed time to arrive.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thess. 4:16-18, NIV)