San Diego First United Methodist Church ~ In Real Life ~ Friday, 18 October 2013
“Puppies and Sunrises” (Pastor Jessica Strysko)
I was walking around my neighborhood last week just as it was beginning to get light. I generally set out by walking west, and so for the first half of my walk it looked as if the day was going to be cloudy and a bit dismal. I was taking both dogs with me on this walk, which was proving to be more of a challenge than I had thought possible before Tim and I decided we’d like to have two puppies.
Early-morning walks are one way that I prioritize exercise, and a way that I take care of myself before a busy day and in the midst of a busy week. They offer the gift of calm, a time for prayer, and a sense of gratitude “for the beauty of the earth.” So struggling to corral two dogs who were more interested in playing with each other and eating anything in our path was cramping my style a bit. Not the calm, prayerful quiet of morning that I was looking forward to, although I was still grateful – I love these puppies, after all!
When I had just about given up on the walk, which had turned more into a struggle than the de-stressor I had hoped for, we turned the corner to head east and I had a beautiful shock: a breath-taking sunrise. Hues of pink, orange, purple and gold stretched in bands across the sky. I think I gasped audibly, and an immediate prayer welled up in my heart: thank you, God.
Regrettably, I did not take a picture of the sunrise…but then again, maybe that’s not so regrettable, since I’m pretty sure I may have lost a dog in the process if I had tried. I simply took the sight in with my own eyes.
As I recall that walk, my prayer for you is this:
May God surprise you with love today, with peace in the midst of busyness, with joy unexpected and delightful, with beauty profound and lasting.
Blessings,
Jessica
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
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