Stunning Surprises

I had just finished my breakfast when I crossed paths with the kitchen window and stopped, dead in my tracks. A smile immediately struck my face as I gazed upon the beauty of God's sunrise outside my window.

There's something particularly sweet and special about a sunrise (forgive me, I recognize just how many sunrise pictures I've posted to "Grace In Abundance!"): the golden glow of the perfectly-circular orb in the sky, the soft rays glossing over the earth, the shimmer and sparkle that sprinkle across the dew-fallen grass and the freshly-fallen snow in winter. And the sky---the sky!---so alive, yet appreciates time as he rises up from his bed on the horizon. As he continues to gain consciousness, his colors change, progressing from dark reds and oranges into a soft yellow-white upon the treetops, only to open up to the vast, pure, unbelievably-promising blue aura that stretches for miles and miles. All this beauty, all this majesty, and yet, none of it compares to God's majesty.

Several days ago, one of the priests at Penn State remarked on God's majesty, explaining how the book of Wisdom articulates the idea finely; if the stars and moon and sky and all the natural elements of the universe are so great as to be called "gods," then how much greater is their Creator?

What's more, Jesus not only provides this beautiful earth to us, but he uses his beauty to speak. The Creator's beauty stopped me in my tracks this morning, not only to have me recognize the glory of his abundant mosaic, but to also realize that He does stop us in our tracks sometimes, and always for the best of reasons.

Maybe we'll encounter shocks or surprises this week, or perhaps we'll come across an instance where we just have no idea what to do. Never fear, because God always upholds His best intention

for you. Who knows? He might even soften the blow with a warm and welcoming sunrise :D