Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
Psalm 143:8
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.
Rebekah and I drove to Florida Christmas Day, stayed around 48 hours, then drove back. I-95 was uncharacteristically kind to us this time around, but nonetheless we were tired out and worn down from the quick turnaround. There must be easier ways to recover from the long run up to Christmas Eve!
So this morning I made myself get out of bed in time for a walk in the early morning light and it was – as always – restorative.
The Tar River, safely back inside its banks for the time being, was covered with a light mist. The sky, gradually filling with light, splashed a backdrop of color as the sun reflected against the thin sprinkling of clouds. The buildings in the town took on a luminous hue.
As the river retreats from its flood, it leaves an unsettling assortment of detritus – mostly trash, reminding us that we need to work more diligently to care for this Good Earth. Likewise, as the joy of Christmas anticipation gives way to “life as usual,” much of our brokenness and heartache reappears, still needing attention, still crying out for the light, grace, mercy and reconciliation we focused on in my Advent posts.
But it is morning, and the dawn has broken with such beauty and hope and promise.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
Psalm 5:3
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
In love and in hope – DEREK
