Those who live at the ends of the earth
    stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
    you inspire shouts of joy. – Psalm 65:8

It’s funny. I can travel a hundred miles, or a thousand, or six time zones all the way to Krakow and then share a beautiful photograph that touches my soul… or I can wake up early right here in Tarboro to walk Max down by the Tar River and then see this.

“This” being Monday morning’s most amazing sunrise. A sunrise just a few days after another equally amazing dawn on January 10th. Then there will most likely be something just as unique and inspirational in another day or two.

Each new day is a gift that we can either discount or accept with gratitude. Of course this is true even if it is cloudy or rainy or blowing a storm. The day… this day… every day… is a gift.

Yet I still tend to be either up or down depending on any number of factors, as if my faith, and my belief that “This is the day the Lord has made” is not enough.

I guess I will know that I have achieved at least some measurable level of spiritual maturity when my heart sings regardless. But this is not that day, and I have to admit that a sunrise like this one, from Monday morning, still makes all the difference.

Grateful, always – DEREK