The gift of a sunrise

A few friends and I spent the weekend at a beach house this weekend. Towards the end of the week, the weather forcast was rain, rain, and more rain. Then, on Friday I read that unusually high tides would possible flood roads at the beach. This trip had been planned for MONTHS!

I'm very grateful that the weather was just perfect! I love going to the beach at this time of year! And, it only rained once.

This morning I woke up while it was still dark, looked at the time, and rolled over to go back to sleep. Then, I started getting this urge to get up, and go see the sunrise! I suddenly felt the excitement of a little child who was excited and exuberant about a surprise gift.

I did get out of bed, and wrapped up and went to the beach (we were only a few feet away!). I was sitting there watching the stars, thinking of the Bible verse about waiting for God like a watchman waits for the morning. That verse came to life for me in a new way. I've always thought of it as the watchman thinking that the night would never end. Today I thought about how there was absolutely NO DOUBT in my mind that the sunrise would come right on schedule.

The sunrise was a beauty, as there were clouds in the sky adding drama to the picture. I stood there by the water and sang "How Great Thou Art", feeling very grateful for my unexpected gift of seeing the sunrise over the ocean. Then, right on cue, when the sun was up, the rain started!

Oh, and I had one more gift! I went to a 6:30 p.m. church service this afternoon. What was the prelude so magnificently played? You might have guessed............ "How Great Thou Art".

Yes, indeed, God is great, and, somehow I think He had a hand in my awakening to see His handiwork in the sunrise. God DOES know how to give good gifts to His children.

A brand new look

Well, I've finally changed my blog layout. What do you think? I've been admiring the backgrounds on other blogs, but could never find one that suited ME (except, of course, for the same ones I'd seen on other blogs.

Thanks to One Small Blog (you can click on their link on the top left of this page, if you're interestd)!

A candle of the Spirit

Found at Reverent Irreverence (along with a beach picture beautiful enough so that I can feel the sand between my toes, and a few posts down, a recipe for Vicar's Chicken that I will absolutely HAVE to try!)

Give me a candle of the Spirit, O God, as I go down into the deeps of my being. Show me the hidden things, the creatures of my dreams, the storehouse of forgotten memories and hurts. Take me down to the spring of my life, and tell me my nature and my name. Give me freedom to grow, so that I may become that self, the seed of which you planted in me at my making. Out of the deeps I cry to you, O God.” --Prayer at night by Jim Cotter

I do need a candle of the Spirit today. My life has been so full of changes and challenges! For now, rest is just what I need. Have you ever thought about the difference between "sleep" and "rest"? There are some mornings when I feel like I've worked all night, even though I've slept.

Praying for peace and rest for each of us. . .