The dark sky whispers to me... 

the inky, pre-dawn sky draws me in. And in the stillness I notice that I can just barely see the landing lights of the first incoming flights to a nearby airport. They are too far away for me to hear them, however their steady, uniform approach and direction, blinking in the dark sky, identify themselves. 

I can feel the Texas air beginning to change as the day begins. In the distance the sky color begins to change, it's more a sense almost, than an obvious visual confirmation yet. The darkness is receding, slowly, as if reluctant to leave, withdrawing, as it's color is fading, like that of a watercolor painting when the artist dilutes with  water, carefully, on her page. Slowly the dark cover of night seems to withdraw, as the first infusion of morning, lightens the sky by gradual degrees. The light is not afraid of the dark. It is the darkness that is fleeing! 

It is as if the darkness innately knows this is a battle it will never win. However in it's departure, it admits defeat as the light will always overcome all darkness, and reign supreme.  

The colors begin to appear. The smudged outline of the trees now separating from the dark sky as silhouettes. The sky colors muted but growing more defined. The first hues in burnt orange begin to spread majestically across the sky. Not chasing the darkness per se, perhaps utterly overpowering it, until there is only light and color that remains. New infusions, the color of tangerine and melon gracefully appear as the whole sky seems to be eagerly anticipating the arrival of the morning's crowning glory. Colors of deep yellowy-orange, like warm tropical papaya, soft lavender like spring lilacs, fill the vastness of the sky, adding depth to the promises the day will bring. Suddenly the very air changes and everything seems to be hastening, not rushing, but moving forward with a determined, celestially-coordinated effort... it's coming!! 

The sun is almost here! 

The yellows of sun-ripened pineapple, or sweet summer corn on the cob, seem to shoot through the subtle hues paving the way. The whole sky appears to take one collective breath in the faint light. 

And then everything seems to still, motionless in anticipation, collectively holding that breath in perfect unity, waiting. Silence. A passing car temporarily shatters the silence and I look up to see a spray of water from the road, catching the light and shimmering like diamonds in the air- as if every drop was created for this moment. 

The changing sky beckons me, the display continues. The silhouetted trees look like they are on fire! Seemingly bursting with orange flames as the gentle ascent of the rising sun continues behind them. This fire however doesn't consume, instead it defines every leaf. Somehow enabling each leaf to know it's divine worth, and to understand intrinsically it's role in this moment. Filtering through those leaves, the sun begins to become visible. Yellowy white now, like the liquid fire that it is, the fiery force of nature commands the very sky! 

Suddenly there it is! The most perfect sphere of blazing light, instantly piercing every color of the sky. However in the shattering of color to liquid light it didn't diminish each color, it somehow enhanced everything in it's path.

Dancing amidst the leaves it continues upward, my heart begins to beat a little faster in anticipation. As the leaves thin toward the top of the tree, the light is more visible, stronger. As it begins to rise above these trees, I notice other trees are illuminated as sunlight spreads over everything. I know my viewing time is short, because as soon as it clears the treetops- into the open sky from my vantage-point, I will no longer be able to look directly at this glorious sun. It is too bright, too powerful and almost too beautiful to bear. One last very quick glance, and I see, the perfect white light, scattered temporarily, and stunning through the tippily-top* of the trees.

Suddenly no longer hidden behind the trees I can actually feel the very air begin to warm. Brighter and brighter the sun shines as it climbs steadily into the morning sky. 

Oh how breathtakingly beautiful this moment is. 

My senses are so full of the glorious light before me I can scarcely remember the darkness at all. 

I gently close my eyes in quiet gratitude to God, letting the warmth and light bathe me in peace. 

I am so blessed. 

God is in His Heaven and all is right with my world.

* Declan's version of tipity-top.