At this time of year, we are amazed, Lord, at all the colours and beauty around us from city to valley. We see as we wake early, the fog or mist across the fields and then the sun comes to burn it away. It is pleasant to greet the sun in the morning O God, but yet, it’s not always sunny and we often feel that there is fog around us. Sometimes, our circumstances mean that we cannot see very far in any direction. This is the way we have been during the pandemic but the sun burns away the fog, the mist recedes so that we can be amazed at the way ahead, and the landmarks that are still there like an old familiar and mighty oak tree. You, O God, have not disappeared nor left us desolate.
Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning
born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
praise every morning,
God’s re-creation
of the new day!
Remind us now that the things and the people who are so precious are still there despite the fog, despite the storm, despite more darkness. We thank you now for your love and friendship and as you, O God, use your children to be the medium of your love and kindness. We thank you now for guiding us along the way.
Thankfully in the middle of each season, we will see the sun, as we experience the heat and light of your grace.
Help us to greet you in a grateful way as you support and comfort us.
‘Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who made the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the miserable and the crotchety –
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light –
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness. ‘
Mary Oliver