• A Glorious Dawn

 

Setting: on the Journey at Pine Springs Ranch, San Jacinto Mountains, Southern California

 

A choir of bluebirds greets the first touch of dawn

    with voices like scores of muted chimes.

The deep dark blue of the heavens gradually lightens.

Cirrus clouds of crystal ice, precursors of an approaching storm,

    parade across the now bright pale blue sky

        like abstract curtains.

The western slope of the Desert Divide

        still slumbers in deep shadow,

    while a shaft of light highlights the ridge

         leading to Spitler Peak

    and slides slowly down the slope

        as the unseen sun climbs steadily higher behind Apache Saddle.

            Then, previously imperceptible clouds of morning mist

            turn into a shimmering, expanding halo of glory

                as the sun continues to rise.

Simultaneously the sun

hits the red and gray rocks of Spitler Peak,

    shines on Pine Springs Ranch in the canyon below,

    and shows itself in blinding, dazzling brilliance

        at the very center of the mountain saddle.

            My body senses instant and welcome warmth

            the moment the sun crests the ridge.

My mind flashes to the description of God’s glory

    in the throne room of the universe,

and I return thanks that in his goodness

    the sunlight again bathes and blesses the world.

I pray that the Sun of righteousness

    will light and warm my life for this new day,

    and again exclaim with the Psalmist,

    “O Lord, my Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!” [Psalm 8:1]

 

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