Starry Nights and Early Mornings

Somewhere in my early teen years I fell in love with the vast open starry sky. I remember "escaping" many a night out on to my roof, I would take a very deep breath and my eyes would make it to the sky, and somehow, no matter what "dramatic" thing had happened to me that day I knew that it would be ok. In the big scheme of things it wasn't that big of a deal. It became my solace, my alone time, but most importantly my time to pray and be with God. It seemed no matter how many times I looked into the sky there was always something else that God would show me about Himself, His ways, who He is, and how no matter how hard we try we will never truly be able to wrap our minds around all of Him. If I can not wrap my mind around the idea of how vast the sky is, how can I wrap my mind around God? Someone who created the great, big, vast sky. I find myself still drawn to the starry sky, just to sit and think. It beacons to me, whispers in my ear, and touches my soul. Honduras seems to collect more clouds than Tennessee, or perhaps it's just that I sit closer to the sky here than I did in Tennessee, but no matter the reason it doesn't give as many opportunities for clear nights. Last night however was very clear, and the stars shone brightly in the dark sky. I convinced my roommate Kendra to come with me to the soccer field to look at the stars. I took my big green blanket and we allowed our selves to be engulfed in the sky. We stayed there for more than an hour, some in silence, but a lot in enriching conversation. I'm so thankful for moments like that, to just be able to take a step back, and spend time in wonderment.
I also find myself in moments of wonder in the early morning hours, before the world has really woken up. The clouds are still sleeping on the ground and sun is barley begun to stretch it's arms. The world seems so calm and peaceful, like it's in no hurry. Not quite ready to take that first sip of morning coffee, or wake from it's lulling sleep. When you wake up early it's like you get to take a look at the world through a totally different lens. Every morning has it's own unique finger print, no two mornings are exactly the same. I think that it's God's way of motivating me to wake up in the morning, like He says, "Come and discover the way I made the word today." As I run, I try to breath in the beauty that God has created for us, and make a mental picture of the gift God gives me each day. Somehow I think those first moments of the day are the ones that carry me through the rest of the day, whatever it might hold.