Today’s day was just so pretty and crisp in its winterness, cerulean blue sky, clear and cloudless. Father Sky didn’t use any of his pastel sticks to draw clouds, letting the blue sky canvas enjoy its unmarred blueness. Bundled up to walk Penelope this morning, gloves, cap, down jacket. This cold weather is getting old. An Italian Proverb says, “They who sing through the summer must dance in the winter.” I’ve danced enough already. I love the occasional cold spell but I want to see a few snowflakes when I deal with the cold. I don’t know how my northern friends cope with months of cold weather. I guess the sunshine perks them up when the days are dreary. The glorious sunshine gives life to the earth and warms the landscape helping winter give birth to a lovely spring.

My friend, Boss Lady, sent me a new word today — opacarophile. An opacarophile is defined as someone who finds deep comfort, solace and profound peace in sunsets. This is definitely me so call me an opacarophile whenever you want. The sun is such a gift, her wondrous sunrises and sunsets painted by Mother Nature using God’s watercolors are magnificent. How can you not have hope when witnessing one of Mother Nature’s creations as the sun rolls down the horizon on the arm of Father Sky. I love this Bible verse from Psalm 65, “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.”

I think sunset is one of the most glorious gifts of nature. The day’s light turns dark as the sky is filled with the brilliant watercolors of Mother Nature’s paint brushes. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork,” James 4:14. I see God in every sunset. Day and night, defined by sunrises and sunsets, are reminders of God’s presence in our lives. The grandeur of these displays of nature give us a connection to something larger than ourselves, evidence of a divine presence.

The sunset was glorious this afternoon, a pageant stage sketched and painted in golden hues. The sun, dressed in a formal gown of sterling silver sequins, beamed her rays in blinding bright white and walked down the horizon on the arm Father Sky. Mother Nature used her watercolors to shade the horizon a golden honey, making lighter brush strokes as she swept the color up and blended it into the high blue sky. As the sun turned off the day’s light, Mother Nature painted a faint wash of pale yellow along the sky line that faded as the twilight silently crept over the horizon. The old oak trees’ black tree silhouettes stood tall in the twilight, guarding the day’s end and softly welcoming the night with its luminous moon and twinkling stars, holding court till the sun wakes and rises in all her wonder.

The rising sun is the promise of a new day, a day we can walk with God in his love and holy light, God’s wisdom directing us down the right path to salvation. Ecclesiastes 11:7 reads, “Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.” There is so much joy in a new day’s dawning. We wake with breath, thankful for a new day and a new beginning. Proverbs 4:18 states, “The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.”

I’m not up to watch the sun wake the day but I see God and feel his love with every sunset I witness. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” The beautiful watercolors and the changing light of the sunsets connect me to God. I thank him for these magnificent renderings on the canvas of heaven.

“Sunrise is the start of something beautiful: the day. Sunset is the start of something beautiful: the night.” — Juansen Dizon