Ate my breakfast this morning sitting in the swing watching two mocking birds chasing a turkey buzzard around the yard next door. The buzzard was flying close to the ground and the mocking birds were hot on his tail feathers. I wondered if the buzzard was crippled. Once they headed across the street I lost sight of them.

Today was watering day for my flowers and vegetables. My yellow squash plant has three squash on it and I can see a few tiny bell peppers and a few small tomatoes and a few little inch long cucumbers. Can’t wait for a tomato sandwich on soft white bread, a few cucumbers on the side. My flowers are growing, too, and I can’t wait to have a Mason jar full of zinnias and sunflowers on my kitchen table. It’s so fulfilling to plant a seed, nurture and protect it, and reap the harvest.

I noticed the day’s sun today more than I usually do. The porch was so pleasant this morning with a cool breeze keeping the temperature in the high 60’s. The sky was so pretty and blue, the sun hidden behind a few fleeting clouds. When the clouds passed the sun’s rays broke through and the earth quickly warmed up and was sunny and bright. The flower blooms raised up their heads and the solar bird bath fountains started bubbling in the water. I lay my head back on the swing chain and let the sun warm my face.

The sun is powerful. It illuminates the world, keeps our ecosystems going, and helps creatures navigate the planet. The sun symbolizes energy and power and positivity. A sunny day just makes us feel good in its bright warmth. When the sun’s warmth kisses our faces it releases serotonin, the happiness hormone in our body.

I was pondering today on how I think of God as a sun, too, his light illuminating our world, warming us with his steadfast love. The presence of God’s light is comforting and gives us strength. Psalm 84:11 reads, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” This verse reminds us that God cares for us and provides for us. When trials and tribulations come, we have a shield of strength through our faith in God’s power.

The sun brings light and joy and warmth and comfort to the earth and God does the same for those who have received him into their hearts and follow his teachings. God offers us light in the darkness and he keeps us safe. We trust the sun to rise each day and we can trust God’s love to guide us through the new day. “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever,” Psalm 121:8.

“The day of the Sun is like the day of a king. It is a promenade in the morning, a sitting on the throne at noon, a pageant in the evening.” — Wallace Stevens