This photo was taken not too long before sunset at New Smyrna Beach. I take a lot more sunrise pictures here – you don’t actually see the sun setting; the view is ENE. The sky caught my attention this evening with the moon and mix of colors in the clouds.
A wonderful reminder that God can not only be found in unexpected places but also at unexpected times.
This photo was taken at New Smyrna Beach in March. It was so windy that there was this foam on the beach from the ocean surf.
God is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and bring forth the wind from God’s storehouses. Psalms 135:7
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless God’s holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all God’s benefits. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear God; as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us. Psalms 103
It’s not easily seen, but there is a single bird flying just at the edge of the clouds in the upper left. And several more birds near the center of the photo. I remember taking this picture when I saw the birds flying by. The sunrise was spectacular, but I love getting photos with birds in them. Sort of like the cherry on top of the sundae.
The parable of the prodigal son is really as much about the father, who Is also prodigal. Prodigal can mean to be wasteful or to give lavishly. God gives to us lavishly, like birds flying across the sky during a beautiful sunrise.
This photo was taken one year ago at New Smyrna Beach. For me, that week marked the beginning of the pandemic. I was already following what was going on in other parts of the world in since early February. But that week in March, life as we knew it changed.
It has been striking to hear numerous reviews of the past year, often from very different perspectives. In many ways, it feels like life is finally returning to “normal”. I realize we’re not there yet and it may be difficult to know when we are there.
But I find great comfort in comparing the pandemic to other cycles in life – one sunrise to the next, the four seasons, the succession of generations. And God is present in each.
This is a photo of the waves at Virginia Beach on the evening we arrived. It may not be obvious from the photo but the waves were breaking directly on the beach. That was the case throughout the week and is typical for the area as I understand. Some days, it was actually hard work just trying to get beyond where the waves were breaking. More than once I was knocked over by the waves and before I could get up, pushed down by another wave. It seems ironic that the most dangerous place to be may have been standing in shallow water.
Risk is not always where we think it is in life. Sometimes, when we think we have the most control is actually when it is most dangerous!
This is a photo of the South Inlet in the False Cape State Park. There was a sign that said it was created by a hurricane, in the 1970’s as I recall.
It’s easy to observe the destructive forces in our lives. Harder to see the creative forces. Hint: they may be the same.
It’s not every day you see a rainbow. I can’t ever remember seeing one in the morning and evening on the same day. This was the one we saw in the evening a couple of days ago while at Virginia Back.
Rainbows are associated with pots of gold. This is an ancient fable and it seems possible that it was made up in part to represent the foolishness of chasing wealth. Foolish because there is no real end of a rainbow just as there is no end to chasing wealth.
I associate rainbows with hope. Probably because of God’s promise to Noah in Genesis. Just as foolish to some, I suppose.
I read a reflection a few days ago about being grateful for things that we tend to take for granted. It is said that sometimes you don’t appreciate something until it is gone. This photo is dramatic but the lack of color stands out.
I’m sure everyone is discovering “ordinary” things they miss now that they are gone. Maybe it’s hugs from family or friends. Maybe quiet time (if you are home schooling) or socializing (if you are home alone). Now is a good time to take notice of “ordinary” things and be thankful.
One of the things I enjoy about an early morning run is the solitude. Nothing like a little time alone to sort through all that is going on the world/my life.
My idea of prayer has changed considerably through the years of my life. I used to think of prayer as talking to God. Now my prayer time is a little less talking and a lot more listening. Early morning runs are definitely prayer time.
