Today

 One morning as I talked by phone with my daughter, she said, “What do you have planned for today?”

“Nothing is on my calendar, but I will do many things.” After mentioning several of them, I added, “It feels good to have an open day and not have to hurry, hurry, hurry.”

After the conversation ended, I remembered this poem I had read earlier that morning:

 

Today

So here hath been dawning

Another blue Day;

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

 

Out of Eternity

This new Day is born;

Into Eternity,

At night, will return.

 

Behold it aforetime

No eye ever did:

So soon it forever

From all eyes is hid.

 

Here hath been dawning

Another blue Day:

Think wilt thou let it

Slip useless away.

~ Thomas Carlyle, a Scottish essayist, historian and philosopher (1795-1881)

 

Although the language is outdated and the punctuation rather odd, his probing question is relevant today--and every day. Will we, dear reader, let God's gift of this new day "slip useless away"? Or will we thank God for it and use it in ways that please and honor Him and bless others?

Designed by Johnnie Ann Gaskill

Dawnings

When I’m at the beach, I almost always go outside to watch the sunrises and sunsets even if no family member goes with me. I just grab my camera and go alone to the beach.  I love seeing the rays of light punch holes in the dark sky. I love the beautiful colors that begin to spread across the sky. I love the first glimpse of the sun when it seems to rise out of the murky waters. I love the gentle sea breezes and the shrieking of the shorebirds as they search for and find their first food of the day. I even like the noises made by boats as they head out to deeper waters. There’s just something extra special about the dawning of a new day—and/or a new year! Each one is full of promise, full of unknowns.

Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879) apparently appreciated the dawns, just as I do.  In one of her songs, Another Day Is Dawning, she mentions specific opportunities she anticipates in the new day, among them: making progress, praising God, serving others, witnessing to God’s love…Several times, she mentions her longing to spend another day with Him. If by that she means she wants to be aware of God’s presence with her and to enjoy Him, to feel His great love, to talk with Him throughout the day… then I feel a kinship with her because THAT is what I want, too! 

Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.

Ecclesiastes 11:7, New Living Translation

Dawning of a New Day

Therefore I live for today—

Certain of finding at sunrise

Guidance and strength for the way.

Power for each moment of weakness,

Hope for each moment of pain,

Comfort for every sorrow,

Sunshine and joy after rain!

~Anonymous