Mornings at the Lighthouse

Emma’s eyes popped open and she glanced at the bedroom window. She breathed a sigh of relief to see that the sky was just beginning to gray. Good. She hadn’t missed it.

She grabbed her clothes, threw them  on, then tiptoed past her parents’ room, trying not to waken them.

Across the stone floor she hurried to the breezeway connecting the keeper’s house to the lighthouse. Once she entered the lighthouse door, she raced up the stairs to the lantern room, then stepped outside on the gallery.

The light from the beacon was still shining, casting its beam across the ocean, but to the east, another light was making its way onto the horizon.

This was Emma’s favorite time of day, the time when nature put on a dazzling display as daytime reclaimed its territory. She trembled with anticipation, clasping the railing as she focused on the event.

First, the sky changed to gray, then lavender. Soon tinges of pink blended in, casting a rosy glow across the horizon and the ocean below.

As the rest of the sky turned blue, a golden glow peeked above the sea, then rose above it, casting a mirror image into the water below. First gilding the sky and water, soon the morning sun broke through, its brilliance commanding the earth to awaken.

Emma’s father, the light keeper, joined her on the balcony holding his cup of coffee and smiled, his gaze taking in the view.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Papa?”

He nodded and smiled. “Yes, it is, Emma. It’s a glorious sight.”

“How can anyone see a sunrise and not believe in God?”

Father shook his head. “I don’t know. But I feel sorry for them.”

“Sorry? Why?”

“Because if they miss the blessing of a sunrise, they miss the rest of His blessings as well.”

Emma scanned the ocean, watching sea birds soar as the sound of waves lapped the shore.

The smell of breakfast wafted up from the keeper’s house, and Emma’s stomach rumbled in response.

“I’m thankful I don’t miss God’s blessings.”

“Me too, Emma. Me too.” He put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “Now, let’s put out the lantern, then go enjoy the blessing of good food!”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” Psalm 19:1

What about you? Have you ever experienced a sunrise and felt the awe of creation?