Friends
I just returned from a few lovely days at the beach, cherishing some time with my toes in the sand and my eyes on the water. Have you watched the sun rise over the ocean lately?
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“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1 – NIV
I sat alone in the gray twilight, listening to the steady rumble of the rolling tide. The sea gulls circled overhead, calling out to one another as they searched for their morning breakfast.
The horizon began to glow, as strands of pink, orange and gold swirled across the dawning sky. Golden light danced across the water as a tiny glimmer of orange peeked out from behind its dark blue draping, offering me a little wink before showing its full glory to the world. Within seconds, the fiery ball was leaping up out of the water, the sky alive with shimmering strands of brilliant color.
Majesty, this was God’s majesty on display. A beautiful dance, perfectly choreographed, the sun rising out of the waves.
I sat there mesmerized, knowing that this dance is repeated daily, yet feeling that somehow this morning’s show had been just for me. I marveled at the miracle of it, the gift of a new day. Another day to live and breathe. Another day to seek and serve Him. Another day to begin again. God’s great Grace delivered fresh every morning, just waiting for us to open our hands and hearts in welcome.
That golden glow of grace lit up my face, and still, I couldn’t help but wonder. How often have I missed this morning miracle? How often have I failed to notice God’s daily gift of the sunrise? How often have I fail to witness the marvelous way God paints the canvas of the sky with a kaleidoscope of color?
Over the years, I was certainly up early enough. When you’re a nurse, the day shift starts early. I had plenty of opportunities to notice, but did I take them? Did I remember to search the horizon and give thanks for a new day?
Sadly, I failed to notice far more sunrises than I managed to savor. Sadly, I rushed past that glow on the horizon, too busy or sometimes too sleepy, to stop and give thanks.
I doubt I am alone in these missed opportunities. All too often, we find ourselves arising with irritation, craving our caffeine, grumbling about the items on our endless to-do lists. The day has barely started, and we are already distressed by its awaiting demands.
How often do we plow through our morning routines, rushing to work or school, totally unaware of the beauty all around us? We fail to hear the birdsong. We fail to notice those shimmering strands of sunlight as they dance across the morning sky. We waste the gift of the dawn, because we are too busy to stop and survey God’s precious miracles in our midst.
I know you cannot rise before dawn each day, just to take in its glory. There are children to feed, and work that must be done. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if you and I could just slow down for a bit. Could we pause for a moment before hopping in the car and racing off to work or school? Could we cast our eyes on the horizon and notice the colors? Could we allow a smile to cross our faces, washing away our worry lines? Can we allow the birdsong to flood our ears and lift our souls? Can we remember to stop and give thanks for God’s daily gift of grace?
For far too many years, I missed too many sunrises. I spent too much time on the run, working too hard, distracted by the demands of my schedule. I regret those lost opportunities to appreciate the beauty of creation. Yet, in this season of retirement, I have the opportunity to make amends. I have the opportunity to rise early and greet the day with a smile on my face and a song in my heart. Whether I’m in my beach chair on the sandy shore or sitting snugly in my glider on the front porch, I have the opportunity to witness the majesty of the sunrise. I have the chance to notice the colors of the sky and the birdsong in the air.
And here’s the blessing I have found in slowing down. No matter how the rest of the day goes, it will still be a good day, because I have already witnessed my morning miracle.
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“Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.”
Psalm 19:2-4 – NIV
PRAYER
O Heavenly Father, how gracious You are to give us another glorious morning to enjoy. Let us taste and see the delights you have set before us. Let the beauty of creation capture our attention this morning, that we might lift our eyes to heaven and give thanks for the miracle of another day. Let us not waste this gift, but use it to seek and serve You.
In the Miraculous Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 6/24/2024
Faith Beyond Sight 