The alarm rang early this morning . I think it seemed a lot earlier because even though I was getting up at about the same time I usually do, I HAD to get up. And after being on break since the 21st of December, well, I’ve been spoiled a bit. But as I warmed up the car and warmed up myself with my car’s trusty and oh-so-appreciated seat warmer, and a cup of strong coffee, I was feeling more ready to face the chilly 16 degree morning. (For one who has lived in the mild North Carolina climate for awhile, this was COLD!!) But once I started driving, I started to feel really encouraged. Because to the left, I could see pinks and blues and the white almost-full moon reflecting the sun.

Even though there were gusts of wind, there was a real sense of quiet. Felt like a picture of peace to me.

And to the right, the sky was turning less blue and more orange, until light flooded the sky, the landscape, and … me.   

Sorry about the quality of the photo, but wanted to share anyway.  Nothing like the sun coming up over the horizon to symbolize a new day, a fresh start, a new beginning. Am so thankful for new beginnings and the reminders of them. Cool how all around us are metaphors. Love that. Oranges and pinks and blues filled the horizon.

And the day was filled with good things from start to finish. I had driven to the area where all of my kids had been born, and where we (yes ‘we’) spent 16 years of all growing up…not just the kids, but their young mom as well.  I visited with friends whom I adore…friends who were with me during that 16 year raising-kids / raising-me period of time…friends who are still such a huge part of my life now.  It was a good day from start to finish.  All through the day, at each leg of the little journey, the sun was at a different angle, shone on things differently.

As I started the trip back, the sun was going down…symbolizing the end of another day. Love that. And the light was different then.  Icy blues, light yellows, and almost turquoise.  Funny how the light from the same sun looks different every hour of the day. Shadows, angles, degrees of warmth all changed based on where the sun’s rays hit. Temperature does as well…BRRR…thus the icy blues of today.  But no matter how different the light looks, it’s there. Even when it’s not there…it’s there…somewhere.

Cool thing is…the sun isn’t the one that moves. We are. The sun is present, stationary, predictable. The earth is the one that rotates and revolves. And we do our own little rotating and revolving and moving around dance on the earth on a daily basis. (Some of us at much more rapid paces than others, for sure!  I told my daughter today that she had me actually thinking in Spanish…and the phrase that kept coming to mind was ” mas despacio”…more slow…slow down, ha. She thought it was funny, then…flitted on…Love that girl.) Anyway, back to to the subject.  I love that no matter where I roam, (or no matter where you roam), the sun’s light is having an impact. It warms, it lightens and helps us see. Yep, even when it’s on the other side of the earth, its heat still sustains. There’s definitely something to say for that on this cold, cold winter day.

The sun changes how I see things. Depending on the time of day, I’d see browns and grays on these trees. But now, it’s just a silhouette.  And if the sun wasn’t there, well, I wouldn’t see much at all, that’s for sure.  Or sometimes it’s so incredibly bright that I have to squint and even the best sunglasses won’t keep me from shading my eyes at the brightness of the light. Yes, in a different light, everything looks different, though it may in actuality be the same. 

I so love the quote by C.S. Lewis that says,  “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”  And sometimes when life is going well and full of lots of good things I see it in hues of oranges and reds and pinks. And sometimes when there’s a waiting period of time or uncertainties or hurt the world looks a little more blue or purple. And sometimes, when something hits out of the blue and catches me off guard it can seem to just plain go dark. Cool thing is that it’s only a matter of time before…up comes the sun again… and up comes not only the faith and awareness that it’s coming, but the privilege of seeing it. In the meantime,  until then,  there’s the knowledge,faith,belief and great hope and expectation that the sun is coming. The beautiful thing is, it always comes.

So does my God. He is faithful to the end…in no matter what stage or phase of light or darkness. He stays the same no matter the lighting that I see or don’t see Him in.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

And here’s another awesome verse…

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

I love how it says there is no variation or shadow due to change. The source of light stays the same, much like the sun. The circumstances might change how we see that light…the hues and tones are changes as variables changed…but the Source of the light stays the same.  Cool cool thought that just warms my heart for sure.

Well, those are my thoughts for today. So thankful for dear friends  and time well spent and family. I’m thankful for beginnings of days and endings as well as new seasons to come.  No matter what I see with these eyes, am so very thankful that the Lord is faithful, true, and good. He can be trusted with all of my days… In the light of that Truth, there’s reason for Hope, that’s for sure.

Blessings~

Heather

P.S.  Reminder: Moons reflect the light of the sun. When it’s dark, they shine brighter.  If you’re walking in the dark, be a moon 🙂

Thankful Thursday