One of my blogging friends has a God given talent with nature photography. He captured a magnificent sunrise, beautifully rendered by God and Mother Nature’s paint brushes, a wondrous watercolor divinely painted, it’s composition beautiful enough to grace the walls of an art museum. Several years ago he photographed this river’s sunrise at the perfect moment, making our 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 can’t see how you cannot feel the presence of God or a higher being 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.

Every time I come across this photo, I’m enthralled by its beautiful colors. I’ve searched a second time for the perfect quote to complement this photograph but the quote I used originally by Bodhi Smith still fits perfectly, “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 the dew off the grass as she dances the earth awake. Jayita Bhattacharjeee wrote, “How beautifully the sunrise washes the night away from the face of the Earth.”

I love this Khalil Gibran quote, too, thinking of someone wandering in the early morning light, watching the sun wake the day in a profusion of colors, standing alone in awe as it comes ablaze, knowing you’re the one chosen to witness God’s artwork. 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 grace and faithfulness. Every sunrise gives us a new day, a new beginning and a new ending. The sunrise gives 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 lives. 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.” I love his words. He says 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 new 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 morning giving us the gift of a new day. Don’t waste a day the Lord has given you.

“Sunrise — you can watch it, you can breathe it, you can hear it, you can touch it, you can taste it, and you can feel it.” — Louis de Port