The longest day … enjoy every second.

“Will you not give us life again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6, Benedixisti Domine).  Today is the summer solstice; the longest day of the year and the shortest night. Every living plant is being brought to full life here in the Northern Hemisphere because of the Earth’s slight tilt toward the Sun, even though we are farther away from the Sun during the summer than in the winter.  Some will find that hard to believe with several days of high 90 degree temperatures forecast for Western Colorado next week.  It is hot and dry and water is in short supply, but the summer flower garden at home is going to burst into full bloom any day now.  Recalling how the garden looked last winter, dead, matted to the soil, and without the slightest sign of life its return is nothing short of resurrection, new life, and glory; its a magical time, summer is.  I’ve always imagined the earth coming to a skidding halt in its Northern tilt on this day, groaning under its own weight and the force of gravity to reverse its tilt back to the South, shortening the length of day and lengthening the nighttime hours … winter will come again.  The garden will bloom, drop its flowers, strengthen its bulbs and roots with what green part of the plant remains until it also gives out; God is gracious to the land and its people.  Life is here, life is fleeting, life is gone, life will come again … rejoice in this day, rejoice in this God.

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Tags: Psalm 85