Morning Light
I pulled back the curtain this morning, and warm bright sun spilt in. No wintry white cloud, but bright, blue sky.
It threw me off a little. It was just that it was unexpected and it’s funny to see how ingrained our bodies’ ‘settings’ are. It’s quite surreal changing from winter and the northern hemisphere, to summer and the southern hemisphere, in just one day.
The flight was 27 hours with a two hour layover in LA. Because of the time we left England and then arrived in New Zealand, I ended up being awake for 47 hours straight – eek! It was such a strange feeling, almost out of body! So anyway, I was asleep by 6:30pm last night :).
So much has happened in the first day of being here. So much has changed. General things, mostly, but also within my family. You really notice change when you are not around day to day. So, I’m finding there’s a lot to take in.
I’m sitting in my parent’s sunroom right now with a view out to the ocean. The waves out to the horizon are silver. Set alight by the sun high above. It is glorious, a true blessing. And really restful.
We are about to head out for the day but I wanted to write about something really nice that happened this morning. I got up to a part in the novel I’m reading where the main character mentions the way her Mom used to read her a psalm each night before she went to sleep, and how this had made her feel safe. I thought this was beautiful, and how I would really like to do that in my family, reading out a psalm each day.
Then a little later, my family and I sat down for breakfast. I was chatting with Mum, and didn’t notice that my stepfather had started browsing through an old leather bound book. Mum looked over at him.
‘Why don’t you read us today’s psalm?’ she said.
My stepfather is a vicar, and the old book he was reading was about the church liturgy over the Christmas season, including a psalm for each day. And so as Mum asked, he read out today’s ~ Psalm 65. Here are a couple of verses (6-8).
You uphold the mountains with Your strength
You are girded with power.
You still the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves
and the tumult of the peoples.
The ends of the earth stand in awe
at the sight of Your wonders.
The lands of sunrise and sunset
You fill with Your joy.
I smiled to myself at God’s goodness. Just a few hours before I had thought how lovely it would be to read out a psalm in this kind of way, and God in His love answered straight away. Isn’t it beautiful how He shows His love to us in a hundred different ways throughout our days? We as His children, are truly blessed.
that’s so cool you are ‘home’ for the holidays. I would love to hear more about London & New Zealand both. :) It’s funny to me to picture Christmas with summer/warmth. totally opposite! :) that flight/being awake so long seems ridiculous. I would be so thrown off! :)
I love how quickly and abundantly God answered your prayer. He is so awesome. love ya! :) Merry Christmas!!
Hi Randi, such a lovely reply, I’m going to try and take pics of NZ and Christmas in the summer so hopefully that will give a little of an impression :). Yes, the flight and being awake that long was full on, I’ve become ill with flu because of it all, which is no fun :( but thankfully I can just rest in the sun now :) God is amazing how He answered this so quickly. I love how He makes Himself known to us in so many ways day to day. Lots of love Randi, and Merry Christmas to you and your family :).
Get well soon, deary!
That is just a beautiful kiss from heaven with the reading of the Psalm.
Yes, rest, that is a good thing.
Merry Christmas!
I can’t imagine a trip like that. It would definitely make me sick. I hope you recupe soon. Mostly because you really need to get out to the beach!!!
I don’t want you to miss any of the sunshine while you’ve got it. Those winters in England can be tough!
Reading the Psalms always brings peace to my mind. He is worthy of our praise, when we’re down, when we’re up…it doesn’t matter…HE IS WORTHY!!!
Have a great holiday, Birg!
YES! we truly are. I just love Psalms. It’s my favorite book to read by far.
Miss Birgit: I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas season…
“Isn’t it beautiful how He shows His love to us in a hundred different ways throughout our days?” What amazes me is the way He does this to the non-believer as well, they don’t recognize it as such. I pray for them this day, and thank Him every day for the hundreds of ways He blesses us every day….I love the Psalms, thank you for sharing this…
Blessings to you and your family! :)
Birgit, I can identify with the jet lag. It took me four days to get over it. I’m not a world traveller like you. Although I’d love to go back to Israel and maybe go to Ireland one day – the air travel will be the only thing that makes me think twice about it. God bless you and Michael. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you!
I thank our God for permitting you to make this journey. It is so transforming, so renewing. As I write, the old grandfather clock has struck midnight…and it is now Christmas Day. Bless you, Birg…
I love the peace that God gives us – I love smiling like a cheshire cat when you see and feel his glory in your day – it’s the ultimate “high”.
Birgles, I hope your trip back to the UK was a easier than your trip out. I’m sad that we didn’t get to meet up, but do know how important these precious moments are with our family and that you need to lap them up while you can.
God Bless you Birgles and keep you safe from all harm
Love Em xxx
Thank you so much to each of you for your lovely replies here, so sorry it’s taken me a while to catch up …
@ngie – thank you! What a beautiful way to put it – “a kiss from heaven” …
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Dear Michelle – yes! He is worthy! And yes, I loved all of the stunning sunshine! :)
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Hi Rachel – I know exactly what you mean, psalms is my favourite too!
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Hi Debs – thank you so much for your blessings, and yes, I am praying for eyes that are more and more open to His many blessings every day :)
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Hope, this is so lovely, thank you so much for your kind words. I am so happy for you that you were able to experience Israel, and pray that the Lord would open the door for you again. Yes, the jetlag does make you think twice doesn’t it, it’s just good when your body finally adjusts and you’re fully able to soak up the blessing of the new setting :)
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Dwight, this is so nice, thank you (and thank you for your reply to the post about The Rainbow too). You are right, it has been so renewing to be back at home, a great blessing. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year as well.
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Dear Em, thanks so much for your kind support, and I know what you mean about God’s peace. It brings a lot of comfort, strength and joy.
Such a pity we couldn’t meet this time, I’m so looking forward to catching up with you all in person the next time, lots of love to you xo