Unlike most days {I am so not a morning person!}, I was up early this morning and determined to get my walk in before the first round of my day began. I actually love mornings, just not the getting up part!

But not this day . . . partly, I suppose, because pain had not yet made its presence known. Praise be to God for clarity of mind, and energy to begin the day!

So with a late cool spell underway, I donned a jacket and headed off down the street. Enjoying the light breeze, budding trees, and flowering shrubs all giving testimony to the beauty of spring, I picked up my pace.

Lost in thought and prayer, I suddenly realized as I turned a corner that the chirping of the one or two birds I had been hearing had multiplied. I crested the hill and headed into a ravine where both sides of the street are wooded areas, and the music of the birds filled the air. Back and forth across the hills, their sounds echoed as bird called to bird. Drowning out all else. Bringing me into the presence of the Almighty.

Awake with us, they seemed to say. Rejoice in the dawning of a new day. Lay aside doubts, pain, worries . . . simply enjoy the moment God has created for you. 

Oh, Creator of the birds. Composer and Conductor of their symphony which stretches around the earth. Author of life . . . I lay my concerns, my fears of pain, wonder about the unknown before me at your feet . . . I pause to say thank you, to worship, finding myself lost in wonder, love and praise. 

1 Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down;
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.

2 Breathe, O breathe Thy loving Spirit
Into every troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit,
Let us find the promised rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.

3 Come, Almighty to deliver,
Let us all Thy grace receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Nevermore Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
Glory in Thy perfect love.

4 Finish, then, Thy new creation;
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see Thy great salvation
Perfectly restored in Thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before Thee,
Lost in wonder love and praise . . . 

Charles Wesley