The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4, NIV)
I have a dog who has an established habit of getting up every day at 4 a.m. We’ve been in this habit for years. She gets up from her bed in my room and heads downstairs to her bed there while I start coffee. She eats at 5 a.m., and then immediately wants to go outside to sniff for rabbits and other creatures that have traveled through our yard.
In the summer, the sky begins to brighten earlier. It was 5:15 when I let her out, and the east was beginning to lighten. Outside, the trees were full of birds singing and chattering. It’s like this every summery morning. Full of sound–music.
I love the rest that comes from sleep. But I love this early morning invitation so much more. To watch a new day dawning. Lately I find myself taking fresh notice of the world around me. Delighting in spring and summer abundance–the wild raspberries give off the most intoxicating fragrance that hangs heavily in patches in the air. I try to pack these senses deep in memory. I don’t want to forget. In winter’s dark days and frigid mornings, when the birds have gone silent–I want to pull these moments of summer and delight from my memory.
The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
– Forgive my hidden faults. (Psalm 19:7-12, NIV)
I also love turning to God’s Word–in all the seasons of my life. I am glad for this habit. Trained by it. Blessed through it.
Father God, thank you for giving me this day. Thank you for these words in my hand and in my heart. Thank you for a dog like Ruth, whose daily routine invites me into the heaven’s declaration of your glory.
Courtney (66books365)
Sixty-six books in a year 