We have had some spectacular sunrises and sunsets lately, really outstanding. The kids I teach might say, “The sunset is fire”, which means good, cool, amazing, etc…

If you’ve ever read the Bible you probably know the story of Samuel, the prophet. His mother was Hannah, she had been barren but went to the temple and asked God to give her a child. He answered her prayers with Samuel. Hannah gave Samuel back to God and left him at the temple with Eli, to be raised and taught by him. Today we heard the story of Samuel being called by God but he didn’t know that’s who was calling him. Eventually Eli figured it out and told Samuel next time he heard the call to say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” Then in our second reading we heard from St. Paul, who reminded us that our bodies are a gift from God, that the Holy Spirit dwells in us and we were “purchased at a price”. Lastly, we meet Simon, who is introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. Jesus changes Simons name to Cephas, which is translated Peter. Jesus would later tell Peter, “upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

All three readings point us to Jesus and trusting in Him everyday for everything. I have found I’m not great at doing this. I find I can trust Jesus more, or pretend to, when the odds are in my favor already. I don’t get up everyday and say, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.” I wish I could say I was better at that but I’m really not. I usually get up and say, “Bless this thing I’ve already planned and please don’t let anything go wrong.” Sigh…

I forget the goal isn’t happiness. The goal is Jesus. When the goal is Jesus, happiness isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Just ask the apostles and martyrs who have gone before us. I’m pretty sure they would not say they were happy as they were being stoned or crucified.

If I get to see a sunrise or a sunset, it’s a gift from God. A moment in time gifted to us to remind us he is always there faithful and true. As magnificent as sunrises and sunsets can be, each of us is more beautiful than any sunset or sunrise will ever be, because we are God’s ultimate masterpiece. That’s a wonder to me, most days I don’t feel magnificent or like any kind of masterpiece, but God says I am and you are. We are created to be gift to each other, part of a plan designed by a good and faithful Abba.

So I am grateful for every sunrise and sunset I see, all gift from a Father who loves us, who seeks us, and who uses sunrises and sunsets to call us to Himself.

For sunrises and sunsets…I Give thanks!

KOR- running on minor hiatus as we recover from varying illnesses. Hope to be back at it soon 🙂