Morning has broken!
I hope this finds you well. I am writing this on one of those crisp bright mornings that we have been so blessed with recently. Like many people I delight in the lengthening days and the re-emergence of the brightness and sunshine after what feels like the darkest times and the depths of winter.
On mornings such as these I am reminded of one of my favourite songs, ‘Morning has broken’ by Cat Stevens. “Morning has broken like the first morning, Blackbird has spoken like the first bird”.
As I stepped outside this morning, a blackbird swooped over the garden [‘garden’ is a loose term as I remain a horticultural terrorist], it was chortling as it went and the various wild birds [particularly chaffinches and sparrows], clamoured in the shrubs and bushes as I went to feed them. It made my heart sing.
“Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning, Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning, God's recreation of the new day”
Breathing the cool, fresh air and watching the daffodils dancing along the bank like yellow clad bridesmaids off to a wedding party, [yes, really], I am reminded of so much I can personally be thankful for.
For me, daffodils always herald spring; they also herald my son’s birthday, a poignant reminder of blessing and what I believe to be God’s faithfulness throughout my son’s long-term health condition. I am thankful that he is ‘as fit as flea’ and ‘strong as an Ox’ as the sayings go and I am grateful for God’s presence and ‘recreation of a new day’. I love the rising sun, the colours, the clarity - so much so you may find me dancing like the daffodils too – but not quite so elegantly nor so yellow!
We are still living in dark times, the past two years have tested everyone; we have lost loved ones, faced isolation and loneliness, and have understandably struggled in so many ways. Currently, the bleak winter appears to be continuing with the plight of Ukraine. It is all completely tragic and feels so overwhelming. For me, it would be so easy to lose sight of hope, to allow myself to sink back into the bleakness that the grey days of winter sometimes bring. There are no easy answers. However today, I was able to rest in the moment and drink in the sights, sounds and smells – I could hear the birdsong and feel the morning sun on my face. “Praise for the singing, praise for the morning” indeed. “Praise for them springing fresh from the world”.
Just for a moment, trite as it seems, [and not dismissing all that is happening] I could immerse myself in the beautiful world around me. I could see Exmoor and Dartmoor across the horizon, I could just ‘be’ - mine was the sunlight, mine indeed was the morning.
Today, perhaps you can take a moment too – I invite you to step outside just for a few minutes- longer if you can- to sniff the air, feel the breeze or even feel the rain on your face [yes, we are in Britain after all]; shut your eyes and hear the sounds, smell the smells – even hug a tree, [research shows that hugging trees actually improves our mood and wellbeing!]. If you can take a moment, whatever your circumstances, try to relish the longer, lighter day and hold fast to hope; perhaps find respite “where His feet pass”. Spring is here and as psychologist and author Eleanor Longden states, ‘it may snow in June but the summer always comes’.
Until next time.
Sue, 11/04/2022