The Dawn

Rising while it is still dark is habitual for me. Awakening before the birds start singing is routine. The early part of the day is the best, the freshest and the best time for me to sit in and with stillness. 

This time of year, the sounds outside my upstairs office window at the early hour of dawn include the cacophony of bird song. Once the dark dawn gives way to the light of day, the view turns into shades of green. Sitting down on the floor, in front of the opened window, I luxuriate in what the dawn always provides for me; stillness.

Practicing stillness, solitude, and silence at the beginning of the day solidifies a sense of solidness for the rest of the day. Beginning my day in and with stillness I contemplate on the One who made the dawn. Solitude at the start of the day allows me to set my mind on the One who made all things for me to enjoy. Being silent in the early hours of the day allows me to listen and hear from the One Who has made the day.

 In the interlude between the dark dawn and the light of a bright new day, I take the time to settle some things with myself. Since commitments on my calendar always include interfacing with human beings, my priority for everyday includes reflecting the peace I experience at daybreak. Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to hear that I have, “Your healing involvement must bring you today the love and peace you project to others. I sensed it during our conversation.”

Without spending time to greet the day at dawn, without reflecting on the One who gives me every good thing to enjoy, how can I project any good thing to another? I cannot.  

The dawn calls me to be inactive. The dawn calls me to stop before I get going too fast to hear, taste and smell the goodness of the One who created all the goodness for me to heart, taste and smell. 

The dawn offers me the opportunity to assess and access areas in my heart that need some fine tuning. That fine tuning might come as I consider how I responded to someone; was I too quick in forming a conclusion about them? And if so, then what? 

Self-condemnation never solves anything. Consequently, I am learning to agree with God that slowing down my thinking and listening more to the one who is speaking will reap a bounty of benefits for everyone.  

Why Bother?

Why bother greeting the dawn? It is my nature to be busy, consequently, to voluntarily be still at dawn is a personal marvel. Being still at dawn brings benefits that we can pass along to those whom we encounter in our day.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who want to know that accepting God’s love for us changes everything about us. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.