Dawn’s Early Light

I confess it: I’m a morning person. I put this statement in italics to indicate I’m writing as quietly as I can – in the morning. Because I recognize that many folks do not look forward to not only being awake, but also fully conscious and active when the darkness is overcome by the light.

I’ve witnessed dawn’s early light more times than I can count – and had my camera equipment along on a few of those occasions:

&spspspsp; Early morning light at Oxbow Bend (of the Snake River) - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming &spspspsps; Early morning sun and fog - Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Pre-sunrise light - Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

&spspspsp; Early morning colors - Bear Lake area, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado &spspspsps; Sunrise - Foothills Parkway (west section), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN

Imagine what it must have been like for the very first sunrise:

God spoke: “Light!”
And light appeared.

– Genesis 1:3a (The Message)

Sunrise, early morning light - Yavapai Point, South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

I think I would have wanted to stand up, applaud, and sing Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus!” Quietly, of course, in deference to those who were still trying to sleep.

Whether or not I witness the sun coming up over the horizon, the start of each new day represents a fresh beginning: another opportunity to celebrate God’s blessings to me and to grow in my relationship with Him. Which reminds me – I need to go set my alarm for tomorrow morning.