Most days, as my son Henry and I travel to his elementary school, we see the sunrise. Each morning, it’s different, and each morning, we remark on how beautiful it is. And it’s a genuine statement; it truly is always beautiful.
It’s astonishing to think about, how we receive light not suddenly, like the flick of a light switch, but gradually, as rays gently extend over the horizon and travel though our atmosphere. The sky takes on a whole spectrum of cheerful color, clouds glow pink and orange, and then the sun itself emerges above the horizon, bathing everything and everyone in warm, golden light. All this is accompanied by a racket of triumphant bird song proclaiming that a new day has arrived, and we have life to live today.
It’s all ordinary, a very normal part of our mornings, and also miraculous. Not only because it occurs, but because we are given the ability to witness it, and to share that joy with one another. In that, I see a radiant message of God’s love for us. He has created so many of these “everyday miracles,” and, astonishingly, blessed us with the ability to enjoy and share them.
It is perhaps best summed up in the closing lines of mother’s favorite hymn , “All Things Bright and Beautiful,”
God gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Today, I encourage you to take a moment to go outside, look around, and notice the amazing things God has made. And then to give thanks to Him, for loving us so very well as to allow us to share in the appreciation and wonder of His creation.