The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1

Original photo by Cecilia Marie Pullian

In my Daily Bread devotional for today, Patricia Raybon wrote about Alex Smalley, a British researching studying awe inspiring weather events. According to Smalley, a stunning sunrise, or sunset can improve mood, increase positive emotions, and decrease stress. “When you see something vast and overwhelming or something that produces this feeling of awe, your own problems can feel diminished and so you don’t worry so much about them.”

This reminded me of another quote I read years ago.

Sherlock Holmes said flowers were not necessary to life. They were an embellishment given to us from a compassionate God (from The Adventure of the Naval Treaty by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).

Isn’t that true? Sunsets, sunrises, blossoms, green fields, gurgling brooks, blue oceans, and lakes enhance the beauty of our world and lift our spirits—lifting them up towards heaven, towards God.

God has blessed me in the last stage of my life with a wonderful husband, family, church family, friends and a beautiful place to live.

Our house is situated in such a way as to allow me to watch both sunrises and sunsets from my front windows or porch. At other times of the day, I enjoy the lush vista of the surrounding countryside. Further embellishments to this life for which I am so thankful, especially after the many difficult preceding years.

There will be more difficulties to come, but there will also be those special gifts of encouragement, love and compassion sprinkled in when I need them most. Scripture verses, words from a kind friend, flowers, sunrises, and sunsets.

Thank you, Lord, for giving us embellishments to soften the hardness of this life. Amen.

 

Sunrise, Sunset

I sometimes wonder if I am looking at the sunrise or sunset of a life event. Is it just the beginning of the circumstance, or am I looking at the end? 

As with the above photo, only the one taking the picture knows the exact time of day. However as observers, we can look for clues. The lighter blue sky would denote a sunrise, although I have seen some sunsets with similar colors as well. I have also realized that my mood will often dictate my perception. When I am joyful, I would be inclined to declare it a sunrise full of  hope and new expectations. If I am sorrowful, or stressed, I would choose sunset in hopes of being at the end of the event and looking forward to a time of rest.  So  much of life is in this in between stage, not quite sure if our circumstances are really beginning or ending. 

As I have grown in my faith, I have chosen to just sit back and enjoy the scenery without trying to decipher it too much. The above photo is beautiful, regardless of the actual time of day. I can enjoy it for what it is, or over analyze it to death and miss the Giver's intention, a brief moment of unparalleled beauty, peace and tranquility.

The words sunrise/sunset also remind me of the song from the musical Fiddler on the Roof. As the lyrics imply, time moves quickly. One moment we are at the sunrise of our life, youth, and before we know it, we are in the midst of our sunset years. If I dare to reflect back, I see four separate lives evolving from major events.

I do not fully understand the reason behind these circumstances, but I have come to accept them, especially since these experiences drew me closer to God. Over and over He brought me through the flames, holding my hand, protecting me from the heat.

This year, I face only minor changes, a relatively new job (hopefully a long lasting one), and a new home. Interestingly, the new house is situated at an angle where I will be able to observe both the sunrise and the sunset, neither of which I could view from the previous home. Over all our lifestyle will be greatly improved with both the house and the job, so why this introspection tinged with melancholy?

Change. Change, even for betterment is stressful. It is hard to let go of the known for the unknown. And, in some regards, I am weary. Change requires great effort and I am tired, not just from the physical work of moving, but the emotional changes as well. After seeing so many dramatic changes in my life, now even the smaller ones are draining.

Yet, I know I do not need to rely on my own strength. God in his mercy has given me a companion to help shoulder life's responsibilities, and my husband has shouldered the large responsibilities in order to allow me to concentrate on my job, and I am so very thankful. Then, I also have God's promise:

But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah: 40:31

Amen. Alleluia.