The Dimming of the Day By Jarie Thompson

People all over the world are drawn to the setting of the sun.   Travel destinations set up the perfect place to catch a glimpse of a beautiful sunset.    I am one of those sunset seekers.

The sky has always fascinated me.  As a child, I remember lying in the grass and pondering the vast deep blue.  Now, at this stage of my life, I prefer to remain vertical while gazing upward.
My late mother-in-law taught me the importance of taking time to appreciate a sunset.  Every evening of our annual family beach vacations, she required the entire family to take a walk on the beach as the day was dimming.  Dinner was always planned around this event and many times we would leave the table to clean up after our “sunset walk”.

 I sit on our back porch with my grandchildren now, waiting for the sun to retire for the day as we anticipate the change in the sky.  One day George sent me a picture of a sunset from his house.  His great grandmother would be so proud!   In our sunset-watching we have learned to stick around for the show; after the sun has slipped beyond the horizon, when the sky courses and moves through all the colors of the rainbow, to sit transfixed, silent.

But the real worth of God’s handiwork is this: it makes me stop, think, worship our Mighty God, and Master Designer.  As I sit and observe God’s awesome gift, I cannot help but be thankful.   It allows me to be still and know that He is God.   I wait and listen for His presence to surround me.  It re-charges my life without a doubt.  I believe this is so important in our Christian walk.  
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Finding quiet places and times to commune with God provides light for our path, and renewed strength for service.  Find your time; mine happens to coincide with the dimming of the day, and hopefully, an awesome sunset comes along as well!        
                                                                     
 It is certainly true that “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”  Psalm 19:1 

“There is no way in which a man can earn a star or deserve a sunset.” G. K. Chesterton

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