And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord. Genesis 19:27
There is something special about taking an early morning walk on a quiet Sunday morning. Sunday mornings are always quiet. That is one of the things I love most about them. I have always loved Sunday mornings ever since I was a teenager in high school. They are so fresh and new; the air is so clean and crisp. Everything about them is so pure, calm and still. Chances are, if you take a walk on an early Sunday morning, you will not meet anyone because people tend to sleep in on Sunday mornings. (Hopefully that does not change much after this blog)
I went to an all-girls Christian boarding school for high school in Uganda. The prestigious Gayaza High School. Known for its Christian values and for building elegant, confident, wise and intelligent ladies. Now you might be wondering what a teenager was doing up so early on a Sunday morning, one of the few times one is allowed to sleep in at a boarding school. We had to be up by 5:30am on weekdays to start the day with morning prep where we quietly did our school assignments, then chores, breakfast and class, lunch, more class, sports, dinner, Bible study/ prayers then evening prep and bedtime. Saturday and Sundays were usually slow rest days but during my A-levels I was elected as the Chapel perfect. Every pastor’s wife or pastor’s child will tell you Sunday is the busiest day of the week. You have to get up extra early to get the day started, so as the Chapel prefect I had to be up extra early to open the chapel and supervise the students assigned to clean it as well as organize the hymns, posters and floral arrangements for that Sunday, making sure everything was ready for service.
Even though I had to get up early and work while the rest of my friends were enjoying much needed sleep, Sunday mornings were still my favorite part of the week.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1
Walking to the Chapel early on Sunday mornings, the sun was just rising I felt like I had the whole world to myself. It was so beautiful, a fresh new day and everything seemed extra bright and clean and pure, and I had it all to myself, undisturbed, just me the fresh air and the birds. Oh, how so calming and relaxing. The beautiful quiet and stillness of nature before all the hustle and bustle.
Fast forward a couple of years (much more than a couple) and I feel that exact same way today as I take a walk on an early bright Sunday morning before the noisy traffic begins. I’m enjoying God’s beautiful creation. I love art. I’m not good at painting landscapes but I appreciate those who are, and it is moments like this I wish I could paint. Oh, what a beautiful scene! The colors of the sky constantly changing as the sun is rising, the contrast of the trees against the backdrop of my surroundings. I take it all in and I am grateful to the Creator, the greatest artist of all: God. Indeed, all creation declares the glory of God only a glorious God could create and sustain something so beautiful.
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You. Nehemiah 9:6
I feel so blessed soaking it all in. My heart swells with gratitude, peace and excitement. I remind myself to take a deep breath in and out. In through the nose, out through the nose. Grateful that it is clean fresh air and oxygen that fills my lungs. I have so much to be grateful for. The past couple of weeks have not been easy with one ailment after another. I’ve been down physically so the fact that I get to walk outside, full of energy, with no pain and no sickness in my body is a miracle I thank Jesus for.
Take a moment to be still and appreciate it all; the beautiful skies with their brilliant changing shades of color as the day goes by. The wind musically blowing through fields, the majestic trees, stoic mountains, gushing streams, lush grass and beautiful flowers. The melodious birds, the people in all their beautiful shapes, sizes and skin tones, the animals and creatures, let everything that has breath praise the Lord!!!
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20
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