Each morning we stayed at the beach in the Outer Banks of North Carolina I got myself out of bed at five a.m. That might seem crazy considering it was a week of vacation which should include ample rest, but I’m wired in a slightly different way. I couldn’t possibly imagine beginning my day at the beach without participating in the sunrise.
God's eyelashes
I rather enjoyed being the first one out of bed in a house of 26, slinking towards the coffee and cradling a cup as I made my way out to the second story deck. I planted myself with my bible and journal and waited for the luminous show. The ocean provides an ideal horizon to witness the exact instant the edge of the sun creeps above it. Soaking in the idea that the ocean expands as far as my eye can see, until the earth makes a slight frowning curve gives me some useful perspective before emerging into my day with all my energy. I imagine it is sunrise somewhere in the world at any time and when I need a restart during a particularly frustrating interval of my day I can close my ideas and see the colors in the sky and believe it’s possible to begin anew. I value the metaphor of sunrise as new light chasing away darkness. I like beginnings much more than endings.
One of my favorite quotes is anonymously recorded: “We can only appreciate the miracle of sunrise if we have waited in the darkness.” The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Sunrise is a beautiful example of what can happen after persevering through the dark problems we endure. It’s good to remember the difficult times don’t last forever, such as sickness, loss, broken heart, a hurt feeling or disappointment. Watching the sunrise reminds me that God cares deeply about our visual pleasure in this world he has created.
o tonya, those pictures are breathtaking! erin
By: erin acosta on July 27, 2010
at 6:20 am
Beautiful pictures and I love your thoughts on the beautiful sunrise after the darkness – thank God we always have the bright sunshine after our night of darkness. looking forward to seeing you all very soon!
love always and forever
Grandma
By: Grandma on July 27, 2010
at 9:58 am
Beautiful pictures..I love those mornings too. As I enjoyed the sunrises on the lake this week, it occured to me that the same sun was shinning on the early risers on the beach in N.C. that was beautifully shinning on me in Sparta N.J.! Another of our God’s miracles, just another way HE shows HIS love for us anywhere we are.
Mom L.
By: Mom on July 28, 2010
at 8:10 pm