Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Dear God,

One of my great joys is getting up in the dark and waiting for the sun to rise. I love the darkness that gives way to the light. In these late spring days, I know the days will soon grow longer. When I first get up and look out the windows, I can hardly make things out. It's way too dark. But as I go about my early morning business, I begin to see shapes, the sky starts changing, the darkness rolling back, replacing it with light. At first it appears hazy, then it begins to get lighter and lighter until I open my front door and see the first edges of the sun appearing on the horizon. What a great and glorious day, I tell myself.

At first glance all appears to be in order. The darkness from the east becomes whiter, then the colors, pink, orange, yellow appear from nowhere as the sun begins to rise for the day. It's quite a distinctive process, one that mesmerizes the soul. I can stand at the door for a long time admiring your handiwork. The day appears out of nowhere and it shuts down the same way.

The birds take their cue from the light. All is quiet in the darkness. The world, at least part of it is asleep, taking in the necessary rest for the body to function. But when the light begins to appear the music of the birds comes forth. In this tree, then that one, all of them together. The sweet talk of the birds, communicates the reality of life. I hear them sing, warble the truths of the universe. And I must say the loveliness strikes at the heart of who I am. Imagine God creating the language of the birds whose great delight it is to sing the praises of God.

This is the way I begin each day, salivating at the first breath of a new day. Savoring the glory of it all, my own being waking up, every sense coming to attention, using its gifts to take in the wonder of it all. This is the new day, the one the Lord made.

Great and Wondrous God,
every new day
is a wonder to me.
The freshness of dawn
reminds me of new life.
A baby born into the world,
its first moments.
I see each new day
through the lens of awe.
No taking for granted.
This is a new, fresh beginning.
Yesterday has been put behind me;
tomorrow will surely come.
I want my whole being
to shake with praise,
like the birds
in a bird bath,
reveling in the cool waters.
Make me an instrument
of your praise
today and every tomorrow.

Love always, Andrea