It was a chilly morning, but so worth bundling up to watch the dawn. It was still dark as I walked up into the field behind my home. Oden was rooting around in the weeds as I stood on the rim of the hill and watched God's artistry in action. My heart sang with joy as the sky seemed to wrap itself around me like a blanket of glory.
“Take time to see,” He whispered.
Light ribboned through the sky. Clouds moved aside as the story of God's unchangeable faithfulness rolled out across the morning sky. The wind was cold against my face and I pulled up the hood of coat.
“Stay,” He whispered. “Watch. Listen. See. Breathe.”
I tucked my hands into my sleeves.
“The darkness cannot stay when Light appears,” He whispered.
Dark shadows retreated swiftly as light captured ever edge of the field. Now I could see the barn in the distance, the trees along the ridge, a house acres away.
Oden returned from his morning-marking and sat down in front of me. He made a little whine. I heard: you’re not following the usual morning routine, mom. You never come up here without the ball. It's time for my breakfast. (It’s not easy to ignore a 135 lb German Shepherd) Get with the program, woman.
“You wait,” I barked. (pun intended)
His persistence won out. (I know, I'm putty). We walked back to the house. He kept checking to see if I was going to throw something ... anything.
I gave him his breakfast, poured myself another cup of coffee, and sat down to read my Bible. I'd stopped reading at Psalm 18. Today it would be Psalm 19.
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world “
(Psalm 19:1-4a, NKJ)
I closed my eyes and murmured His words with pleasure. I could imagine the psalmist, David, lying on his back in the fields gazing up at the sky … the same sky only thousands of years later. Our hearts were in total agreement: Your heavens do declare Your glory, Lord. It speaks in every language for all to hear.
"Always take time to see," He whispered.
"God makes a huge dome for the sun-a superdome!
The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed.
The day breaking sun an athlete racing to the tape. That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset. Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee.
the decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree."
"God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set
between emerald. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries" (Psalm 19:4-10 The Message)
Oh Lord, Your artistry is beyond our comprehension. And You made it all for us to see!
“Thank you for noticing,” I sensed Him reply.
I guess if every minister grew tired of proclaiming God's Word—His message would still ring out across all the whole earth.