Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day. – Genesis 1:14-19

“In the morning you will see the glory of the Lord…” – Exodus 16:7

LIGHT: One aspect of my life as a writer that feeds my soul is the discipline of beginning each day by asking God to inspire me and to inhabit my words.

Just as in any relationship, there are many ways I go about engaging God. This morning I found myself – coffee in hand – wandering onto the deck, looking out over the amazing canopy of trees, and breathing in the cool morning air. I read a scripture passage about encouragement, and then found my heart turning to God via the small things around me rather than the huge and glorious vista.

I originally came outside because the light pouring into the kitchen had invited me. I paused to take in the beauty, then checked on the progress of my herbs, and the miracle of their renewal drew me into the heart of God.

The Sage, limp and dismal just a few days ago, was standing up and looking perky. My Basil, both the sweet green and the finicky purple, is producing new leaves. The Silver Thyme and the Rosemary – both thin and uninspired over the weekend – have shifted perceptibly toward strength. Likewise, the Mint and the Parsley have grown by leaps and bounds.

It was as if God had drawn me outside to infuse my spirit with spiritual truth the same way that the fresh herbs, introduced to the food I prepare, infuse flavor.

Rebekah and I enjoyed our breakfast on the deck, sipping coffee together, embracing the serenity, and talking about the coming day. Then we sealed the experience with a devotional reading and a prayer.

Thus God welcomed me into all the beauty and the possibility held in this new day.

PRAYER: Loving God, I am grateful for this new day. My prayer is that the truth and the beauty of your purpose will guide each one of us, and that the witness that is the way we live will honor you. Amen.