In a world that feels noisy and chaotic, taking photos of the sunset has always a grounding affect on me. The simple act of putting my camera up to my face, taking a deep breath, and composing my shot is calming in and of itself. Then there is the feeling of awe and wonder as I click the shutter and capture the beauty of the sunset. The giant exhale. The return to the present moment. I feel calmer just thinking about.
It know it sounds an oxymoron to say that looking at the sky makes me feel grounded. But when I take in a glorious sunset, it reminds me of how little control I actually have in this world and to place my trust in God. The source and sustainer of everything good and beautiful and true. And I hope this post from August 2012 brings you the same sense of comfort and clarity and peace that it did for me.
I love this time of year. Even though it still gets warm during the day, the evenings have finally started to cool off. And because of its position in the sky right now, there is an almost magical quality to the sun’s light. Like it’s softer somehow, if that makes any sense.
At any rate, this past Sunday I wanted to get some photos of the sunset for my elevate the everyday project. Because of all the trees in my neighborhood (not complaining mind you), I can’t see the horizon from the house, so I planned to drive over to the river where I knew I could get a good shot. At the last minute Tripp said he’d drive me, so after dinner we made a beeline to the river just in time to see the sun set.
I love watching as the sun begins its slow descent below the horizon line and the different colors of light that streak the sky in the process.
And I especially love the golden glow that illuminates everything in its path.
The science nerd in me knows that this moment is really nothing more than the process of the earth’s rotation and position in the sky relative to the sun. It’s all been studied, and proved, and documented. Energy, light, angles…for billions of years, this ordinary turn of events has occurred billions of times.
Nothing new here to see people. Keep on moving.
But the spirit in me know that this glorious moment is nothing short of miraculous. The spirit in me believes that God is responsible for this extraordinary turn of events that puts the sun in the sky and makes this life on earth possible.
All I really know for sure in this life is that God has it all under control. And that He has a plan – a perfect plan.
At the end of the day, it’s all in His Loving Hands.
Peace, Kelly
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