True confessions. My alarm goes off at about 6:30 am and the challenge of the day begins. After 47.5 years of marriage, after I had always shared a bedroom with my sister or college friends or work buddies, I now must recreate myself in this new phase of life called widowhood. Life is just not the same after…. You can fill in your blank. It may be a disfiguring accident, a new job, an empty marriage, a move or whatever challenge you are facing. What helps us face the day and live into our future?
I think something that helps me face into today is hidden in the promise of “resurrection” that Jesus promises when he says, “I am the resurrection and the life,” in John 11:25. When faced with the death of a dream, I find it challenging to face forward and not just wallow in sorrow. Mornings offer a new day. I may still need to mop up my messes from yesterday and I may still have to live into the reality of widowhood but the sunrise symbolizes resurrection and hope of new life for me.
Each morning I look out my bedroom window to see if the sunrise is breaking. Each day it is different depending on the weather. I confess I always hope it will be one of those spectacular orange and purple sunrises that appears and gradually lightens to the new day. Each sunrise is different and each day is different and offers the hope of resurrection. Sometimes it is foggy and I cannot see the road in front of my cottage not to mention that I cannot see the lake on the other side of the road. Life is like that.
Resurrection is the promise that life does go on even when death feels so real. Jesus conquered death. Death does not have the final word. The sunrise speaks to the potential of the day with all its different colors and shades.
Perhaps the sunrise does not symbolize resurrection to you. Perhaps you would prefer to think of the bud of a flower, or the smile of a baby, or the opening of your email with the hope of a note from a loved one. Let’s think today what might be your “sunrise” moment that reminds you that Jesus is the resurrection from the deaths of yesterday and the hope of life for today. When you experience your prompt, whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for the promise of resurrection and life found in Jesus. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 