One of my blogging friends has a God given talent with nature photography. He has captured a magnificent sunrise, beautifully rendered by God and Mother Nature’s paint brushes, a wondrous watercolor divinely caught, it’s composition beautiful enough to grace the walls of an art museum. He has photographed this river sunrise at the perfect moment, making the eyes open in wonder to soak in all the colors, the shadows of the silky mist, the colorful reflection of oranges and purples on the smooth water of the river, the dead branches reaching up as in prayer. You can feel the passion of the sun as it slowly rises on the horizon, warming the earth, giving birth to the day. I am mesmerized by this photograph and cannot fathom how you fail to feel the presence of God when you look at this glorious Minnesota sunrise.

“When a sunrise steals your breath, say nothing. Just close your eyes and think about it.” — Unknown Author

I’ve search this afternoon for a quote to match this photo. I love this quote by Bodhi Smith, “Seduce me at sunrise and dance with me barefoot in the dew on the grass.” I think the sunrise is seducing the earth in this photograph, burning off the dew on the grass as she dances the earth awake. I like this quote, too, thinking of someone wandering in the early morning light, watching the sun wake the day in a profusion of colors, standing alone and watching it all unfold, knowing you’re the one chosen to witness this beauty. Khalil Gibran wrote, “We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day, and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us.” That’s beautifully said.

I think God gifts us with sunrises as a reminder of his faithfulness. Every sunrise give us a new day, a new beginning, and a new ending. The sunrise give us hope of another chance to get it right, another day to fulfill God’s plans for us, another day to feel the grace and love of God’s presence in our life. Chad Audi writes, So, my friends, as the sun rises once more, let us greet the day with hope, purpose, and unwavering resolve. Let us commit to being good human beings, to making a difference, and to leaving this world a better place than we found it. Embrace the dawn, embrace the dusk, and cherish every moment in between. You have the power to create a brighter tomorrow.” He said it best.

Sunrises and sunsets are gifts from God, beautiful reminders of his might and majesty. Every day the sunrise magically wakes the earth in vibrant colors, a reminder for us that each day is an opportunity to start fresh by letting go of the past to embrace the wonder of the world God has created around us. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,” Lamentations 3: 22-23.

The sun rises every day. Don’t waste a day the Lord has given you.

“In the twilight of the morning, all life silently waits for the sunrise. Sun must rise for the darkness to sink.” — Mehmet Murat Ildan