New Sun, Old Darkness

The day began early, much earlier than I’d desired.  Being the first morning of a New Year, my daughter desired to welcome the first sunrise of a new year personally, as one might welcome a far away friend.  So we woke up at 6:45 am, threw on clothes, and ventured out into the cold morning of January 1, 2012.  Our goal: donuts before the sun came up and to greet a new sun on a new year’s day.   Mission accomplished, we drove back to share our feast with sleeping family at home.

As we drove back, the sun appearing over the trees and homes along the way, my excited angel stated, “The sun is lighting up the sky daddy”, to which I replied, “Yes, the sun chases the darkness away into a new day”.  She agreed with my small words of wisdom and we arrived home, sharing a beautiful morning together, while the rest of the world around us slept on.  Joy comes in the morning, in the darkness of the first day of a new year, shining from the excited eyes of a child.

Sitting in the simplicity of the morning with my child, it occurred to me that my comment was more profound than I had intended it to be.  I thought about that comment, “the sun chases the darkness away into a new day”, and I realized that yes, this is true in a much deeper way.  As I reflected over the past year, there have been both joys and struggles, easy and hard decisions, simple and complex choices to make, one in particular that will affect this year in a way that will be different than any prior years, and in each day, the sun has always risen, chasing away the darkness of the prior day.

No matter what life brings, it also brings the rising sun to fill the darkness of the night, each and every morning.  And with that sun, comes hope of a new day, filled with joy if you and I are willing to choose an attitude that embraces the joy that comes with each and every new day.  In a more profound meaning, with each new day comes the love of the Son from the Sacrifice of the Father that chases away the darkness of our sins and demons, each and every new day.  This love of the Son and His Light will outlast any position we might hold, any wealth we might accumulate, and any pain we might endure. 

As the sun of the new day on this New Year broke through the darkness of the night, remember that the love of the Father and Light of the Son will surround us in this life and bring us home to our eternal life, forever.  I encourage you, my friend and reader, to take action, choose wisely, pray continuously, and make yourself open to receive the Light of the Son, this new day, on this New Year, and in every day to come.  Happy New Year.

(The writings in this post are random thoughts and observations and are NEVER intended as professional or personal advice. Take what works and leave the rest. For information on mental health and/or substance abuse help, visit http://www.rodneyvalandra.com and refer to the links page.)

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