From Dawn to Dusk

Each day I rise and look out the window for a glimpse of the sun. For the past couple of months there are many days when I can't see it because it is shrouded by clouds and snow. But when I do catch a glimpse of the rays, it raises my spirits. I miss seeing sunshine in the winter.

Lately, I've seen it peeking out more often as the days are beginning to lengthen. The sun has a different feel and it brings a bit of hope that the bad weather won't last forever.

Because the cloud cover has been less, I've also had opportunity to see some beautiful sunsets.

I find those glimpses of the sun bring me renewed energy and joy. The days when the sun is out all day long are the best. 

From a spiritual perspective, from dawn to dusk, I do have the Son shining on me. I am able to face whatever is happening around me with hope because of the light of Jesus Christ. He brings hope and peace. He gives me the strength to face hard things. He brings joy. He allows me to pass that on to others.

The sun may not shine much in the winter months, but the Son is always shining 24/7 and 365 days of the year. I am a representative of that light and want to make sure that I'm living my life in such a way that it points people to the Light of the World.

Mondays I generally use to look back and give thanks. These are the many blessings I received from dawn to dusk each day.

💓 I had a good first day at the local market. It was nice to get out and around people in the community.

💓 Opportunities to curl up with a good book.

💓 I'm still enjoying coming up with plant-based recipes.

Italian Wheat Berry Salad

💓 I finally got the last of my Christmas decorations put away. I had done the bulk of it at the beginning of the month, but left a few things up. 

💓 A wonderful conference on Saturday. I'm thankful for this group.

💓 Peaceful Sunday afternoons doing homey things. This was a shepherd's pie I made for dinner.

💓 I'm thankful for a church family that continually is seeking ways to reach out to those in need in our community. But I'm thankful that they aren't just trying to give hand-outs, but how to truly help someone out of a cycle of poverty while we help meet some of their basic needs.

💓 I'm thankful that the Lord is constantly working in my life to help me grow and stretch out of my comfort zone. I never want to stay stuck in my life. Growth really only happens through being stretched.

💓 I'm thankful I had the opportunity to catch up with a few friends at my conference on Saturday. 

and finally...

💓 The Son is always shining even when the sun isn't.