I like to sit on my porch. But for the last several months, I have not had much of an opportunity – rain and freezing temps kept me indoors. Finally, Monday the fog cleared and I got a glimpse of a blue sky. So, I immediately sat on my back porch enjoying the peace and quiet. As I was looking up to catch sight of a bird I heard, I saw the moon with clouds chasing in front of it. It was about 5:30 pm; I was struck by seeing the moon so full and beautiful with so much sunlight.
In the spring and fall, I enjoy sitting on the porch working, eating, or just watching nature. I enjoy seeing the calves prance and gallop across the pasture. I enjoy the woodpeckers that feast on what they find in our oaks. I enjoy watching the changing seasons. In the fall, when the leaves have fallen, I can look across our pasture and see the deer, as many as 6 to 15 at a time. I can see the pastureland across Sandy Creek and can see my neighbor’s house a mile away. In the spring, when the trees have bloomed, that view is obstructed but the new green, lush, color brings another visual enjoyment. I enjoy the relative quiet of living in the country. I love listening to the birds. I just wish I could distinguish one from another.
But most of all I enjoy soaking in the warmth of the sun on my back. I apparently am “cold-natured” – meaning I seem to get chilled easily. So, the Sun is a bone-warming comfort to me.
The Sun can be a helpful analogy to understand a core belief of our faith. Just as it is the Sun’s nature to shine – it is God’s Nature to love us. God is the very definition of love. God made love real by sending his Son to live and die among the very humans who have proved our unworthiness over and over again. Like the Sun’s warmth on my back, God’s Presence brings warmth and light to every aspect of our lives. It enfolds and surrounds us. Like the Sun, it is out of our control. We can open ourselves up to that love and learn to model it. God comes to us, and is even more reliable than the Sun, the ground we walk on or the rain that showers us.
As 1st John 4: 9-10 says, “God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God but his love for us.” (CEV)
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly Lord, thank you for surrounding me with your love. I humbly ask that you use me to spread your holy warmth to all those I meet. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Rich and Barbara Cromwell
In the spring and fall, I enjoy sitting on the porch working, eating, or just watching nature. I enjoy seeing the calves prance and gallop across the pasture. I enjoy the woodpeckers that feast on what they find in our oaks. I enjoy watching the changing seasons. In the fall, when the leaves have fallen, I can look across our pasture and see the deer, as many as 6 to 15 at a time. I can see the pastureland across Sandy Creek and can see my neighbor’s house a mile away. In the spring, when the trees have bloomed, that view is obstructed but the new green, lush, color brings another visual enjoyment. I enjoy the relative quiet of living in the country. I love listening to the birds. I just wish I could distinguish one from another.
But most of all I enjoy soaking in the warmth of the sun on my back. I apparently am “cold-natured” – meaning I seem to get chilled easily. So, the Sun is a bone-warming comfort to me.
The Sun can be a helpful analogy to understand a core belief of our faith. Just as it is the Sun’s nature to shine – it is God’s Nature to love us. God is the very definition of love. God made love real by sending his Son to live and die among the very humans who have proved our unworthiness over and over again. Like the Sun’s warmth on my back, God’s Presence brings warmth and light to every aspect of our lives. It enfolds and surrounds us. Like the Sun, it is out of our control. We can open ourselves up to that love and learn to model it. God comes to us, and is even more reliable than the Sun, the ground we walk on or the rain that showers us.
As 1st John 4: 9-10 says, “God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn’t our love for God but his love for us.” (CEV)
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly Lord, thank you for surrounding me with your love. I humbly ask that you use me to spread your holy warmth to all those I meet. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Rich and Barbara Cromwell
