Sunrise

“Which do you prefer: sunrise or sunset?”

photo taken in New Jersey, 2015.

When writing in my 300 Writing Prompts journal, I wrote that I liked both sunrises and sunsets equally. I’m not sure when I wrote that…I didn’t put a date like I literally always do. But, I do know that I don’t agree with that statement anymore.

After a good minute of thinking, I’ve decided that I like sunrises more. For those who know me, I am a morning-fanatic. I rarely need my alarm to wake me up in time for the day, even when I wake up at 6:30 for 8am classes. My heart is filled with the sunniest of sunshines when I see cloudless skies of that colorful gradient. Even better? When I open the window, just a crack, and I get a chilling drift and fresh sniff of a new day. There’s nothing more warming than a golden sun peeking through the snowy bluffs on a mid-December morning in Winona.

photo taken at Kelsey’s cabin, 2017.

I also appreciate mornings because it’s my devoted time with Jesus. I used to do this inconsistently and only if I had time. After Fall Retreat (read about it here!), I realized I need to make it more intentional. It doesn’t have to be a set-in-stone routine, but intentional, purposeful, and sometimes sacrificial. At first, it was difficult to open my eyes at such an early hour (6:45am) when I didn’t have plans until 10am. It took me a few tries, but I now jump out of bed every morning, excited to see what God has for me. I also wake up earlier than usual to reflect on His word by journaling and praying out loud, not just reading a few verses in the Bible. Doing this is easier in the summer because it’s light out long before I wake up, whereas in the winter, the sun doesn’t rise until past 7am.

So, sunrises: they are fresher than a cold lemon on a summer day and prettier than Stila’s Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow. Sunrises represent a new beginning, a second chance, and a millionth try with no complaints. Sunrises are a constant; they are routine and they are reliable. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we know “the sun will rise and we will try again“.

image found here.