Dawn Before the Storm

I'm not usually prone to getting up early on Sabbath mornings, but I developed a nasty cold overnight and couldn't breathe by early morning. So I decided to get up before dawn, open all of the curtains and blinds, grab a hot drink, pop in a CD for soft background music, and sit in my comfy chair to watch the sun come up.

The morning was pitch black when I first looked out. The stars were twinkling and then slowly began to fade as dawn approached. Then came that eery gray-ness that comes just before dawn. Unfortunately, it is still gray because the sun is hidden behind a sky full of clouds. So much for my early morning sunrise!

When I think about it, watching for the sunrise is more than just seeing the sun. It's sitting in the stillness of the early morning and enjoying all the sights and sounds: a cat meowing outside the window, leaves falling from the trees and creating a wonderland of color in the grass, and the quietness of the morning (except for the occasional "meow" of the cat).

I think I have a better understanding of the phrase, "dawn before the storm" (or "calm before the storm") after attempting to watch the sunrise today. Dawn is a peaceful, quiet time; a time for reflection and prayer. Then comes the storm. It can be a literal storm, or just the normal activities that begin to take control over the course of our day. The storm doesn't last forever--it just occupies a portion of our time. And then comes the end of the day, when the storm has abated and quiet rules again. We need both in our lives: the dawn to refresh and the storm that follows and helps us to appreciate the dawn.

Since I didn't get to see a sunrise this morning, I thought I would post a photo that I took in Arizona in September.