“And there was evening and there was morning – the first day” (Gen 1: 5)
Author Barbara Mahany writing about the Christian's calling to observe, become aware and to praise God at dawn, shared this insight: “Nothing draws me into the arms of God more fully than standing here before the world starts its whisper”.
I wonder if you are a morning person, also known as a Morning Lark or Early Bird, ready to get up and get going. Or are you more of a Night Owl, tending to get up later and stay up late as that is when you are at your most productive? I'm more of Night Owl and usually have bursts of energy and creativity later in the day. But I have always admired early risers and often wished I found it easier to be that way. So I'm delighted to say that something good has happened as I have grown older! I find that with changing sleep patterns I am awake in the early hours of the morning quite often and sometimes I can get up and get going full of energy and enthusiasm. In early dawn the moon is often still visible as it sets and always a delight, the sky a wonder of blue and gold as the sun rises, and the new day full of promise. Dawn is such an enlivening, invigorating and special time like no other but can be missed so easily.
“... where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy” (Ps 65: 8).
In the Christian monastic tradition the morning prayer of “Lauds” means “the coming of light” and designed to enable praise to God at the beginning of the day. I read recently that “each sunrise, each new beginning is a never-ending gift”. The writer, David Steindl-Rast, suggested that in response we could ask ourselves, “what gift might I bring to this day?”
So, on this Mindfulness Monday, perhaps we could reflect on these things and offer our worship and bring our praise to God in the light of dawn sometime this week. Let us be fully present, caught up in a moment of wonder and awe finding solace and rest for our souls in the peace and tranquillity of God's presence.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
His glory above the heavens. (Ps 113)
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness (Lam 3: 22/23)
God our Father, I welcome this new day. I thank you for the sleep that has refreshed me. I thank you for this chance to make a new beginning. Amen.
Ruth Leeming
Comments