Very Early In The Morning ...

I go to the beach for the sunsets, the seashells, listening to and watching the ocean. I can spend hours on the deck or in a chair on the beach watching the water move and change from blue to green to blue-green and back again. I can spend hours walking along the shore hunting for shells. And I do, every opportunity I get. I've walked over 5 miles before 5pm today. And it sure doesn't feel like 5 miles at home feels.

When I realized this trip would include Easter Sunday my soul began yearning for something different. Watching the sun rise on Resurrection morning. If you know me at all you know this is not a natural desire. The words "Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, the women went..." have run on a loop through my mind. When I woke up without the aid of my alarm at 5:40 AM I knew the Spirit of God was wooing me. I thought I might be able to watch it break the horizon from my little, private balcony but when I went outside I instantly realized that wouldn't work. I was dressed and on the beach by 6 AM. I sat on one of the chairs you can rent and looked east. For about a minute and half before I was drawn to stand and begin walking east. The half moon was smiling down as I took my first steps.

It didn't take long to see that the sun would show itself first behind this large, tall building. I began walking more quickly. I didn't want to miss it breaking the horizon.

I got close enough to know I was on the right trajectory-the only thing that might interfere were some small bungalows.

Thankfully they were low enough that I didn't miss much.This experience was absolutely, without a doubt, worth every early moment, every step taken.

I watched it climb for a few minutes before heading back to the house. The sun over my shoulder reminded me that the "beginning" of my life is behind me. The fact that I am a Jesus follower assures me that the best of life is still before me.