I woke up and saw the beautiful moon in a clear sky this morning! It was crisp and very cold, and the half-moon stood out against the dark sky like a reminder of something. What was it? Oh yes, the sunrise project I did a little over a year ago!
If I tell the truth, and I must, than that project is never far from my mind or heart. See, I discovered something during that year that I never really knew, that God has given us the morning as a special boost for our minds, and even for our bodies. There was something happening with me on those mornings, and I miss it so much now. Looking back I realize I was being made well.
Why am I bringing all this up now? There are two reasons: One, I never finished putting the sunrise project together into a form for others to enjoy, per Jim’s request. (And I am resolved to do that now, and then roar on into the future projects!) But the second reason came from a story Jim related to me this morning.
Jim started a new job a week ago, and it’s a challenge for him to shift gears and he has lots of new things to learn. This morning, before he left, he told me about something he shared with his new group yesterday. Everyone was asked to say something they were thankful for, and he said . . . the sunrise!
Then he explained about my sunrise project, and how he loved to see the pictures, but the problem was that he left very early in the morning, way before the sun rose, and every night, it was dark before he started his drive home. So he NEVER SAW THE SUN RISE or SET.
With his new schedule and commute (at least for this time of year), he drives during both the sunrise and the sunset, so he is gifted with a great view of both each day. He was quite moved while telling me, and I secretly felt so ashamed for being so blessed, and not sharing the way he asked. (Hence the decision to go back and do it now.)
But every morning during that “sunrise project” year, I didn’t think it mattered that he didn’t get to enjoy the sunrise in person. He was always interested in how the project was going, and he would check on me to be sure I wasn’t stranded alongside the road somewhere (because such things can happen!) And he appreciated every photo of the sunrise I sent him, (because I would share the good ones with him as they happened,) but he had never mentioned how much he missed the sun. Maybe he didn’t even know at the time how much he missed it. But he knows now.
But my point in writing today is to say that blessings are given so that we can share them, and I haven’t been doing a very good job of that. So I have some old business to take care of first. I was supposed to share!
But in the meantime, I am aware that the life I live, while it has some challenges, is very blessed. And the blessings I have are given in abundance so that I can share them with someone else. Have you ever noticed that when you are tickled by a joke, you tend to laugh out loud? And when we laugh out loud, we spread JOY!
We are not perfect; God is. We are loved. We are forgiven. and we are meant to work like a funnel. Blessings flows into us, and part or all of that is meant for the benefit of someone else. That “flow” is evidence of life inside of us that comes from God. Jesus said, “Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8b)
extra-beautiful.
Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills. There is no limit to God’s love. He pours out his love on everyone who seeks him with all of their heart. For that matter, he pours out his blessings on those who don’t even acknowledge him. Jesus says God causes His rain to fall on the just and the unjust. Our biggest challenge is not in funding the program or finding those truly in need; in fact, it is in loosening the bonds in our minds so that we are free to give to those who ask.
The scripture says “Ask, and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open unto you.” But consider that , if you are a believer, who carries the Holy Spirit within you, you are partly responsible for carrying out that promise. “Give to him that asks you,” Jesus said, “and from him that would borrow from you, turn not away.” (Matthew 5:42)
I have watched the dandelions when they grow white against the grass. The wind blows, and the seeds let go and fly in the wind. Is there any shortage of dandelions? Nope.
Contrast that to the one who carefully sows seeds into pots and waits for them to emerge. Two seeds per pot, carefully metering them out. I have done this in the past, and what happens is that not all of the seeds grow, and so some of the pots are just empty.
How do we know which “seeds” that we plant will grow? Spoiler alert: We don’t.
I once found a flower that grew up in between two paving stones. I would never have imagined that a seed would take root and have enough nourishment to grow into a flower there, but it did, and it made the world a more beautiful place.
Our job is to sow seeds, to nourish others, to freely give what we have been given. It is how we are designed, and it feels best when we operate that way. We give our laughter away to others when we acknowledge the joke, and laugh. Sometimes we can’t help but laugh! The blessings of the humor are too great.
And God’s other blessings are that way, too. Notice them, enjoy them, and then find a way to share them. That’s what I am determined to do.
So to kick things off, I have included a few sunrise pictures. But don’t let that stop you from appreciating the sky where you are: Go out and see! (Even if the sun is not shining, the clouds can still be beautiful, and you really don’t want to miss it, especially at sunrise or sunset!)
Have a beautiful day, my friends. Thank you so much for all you have done to support us. Thank you for your prayers, most of all. God bless you!
The Fullers Four 