I got up early one morning to watch the sun rise in the mountains. Ray and I often escaped to the Great Smoky Mountains a couple of times a year. We would find a mountain-top cabin, put aside the busyness of life, and simply vegetate, rest, hike, and enjoy God’s creation. Some of our favorite moments were spent watching the night sky for comets and meteor showers or quietly observing the wildlife that occasionally wandered into view. Bears, deer, moose, and even an occasional skink provided unexpected entertainment! But the sunrises were something special.

That particular morning, the first signs of daylight appeared as a haze settled over the mountains. I could just make out the closest trees. The sound of crickets and tree frogs provided a gentle background for what was to come. Gradually, the sky began to lighten. Cardinals, crows, blue jays, eagles, and other birds joined in a chorus of praise that seemed to grow louder with each passing moment. It was as if the trees became greener as the sky grew bluer. Dogs began barking in the distance, setting off a chain reaction with their neighbors. Perhaps they had spotted a deer, rabbit, or even a bear! Whatever the reason, their voices added another layer to this incredible symphony of creation. Then, as the sun began to rise, its rays reached across the valley and touched a distant mountain. Slowly, the mountains emerged from the shadows, highlighted in the warm light of a brand-new day.

Nothing happened all at once. The darkness didn’t suddenly disappear. The sky didn’t instantly become brilliant blue. The sounds of the morning didn’t begin together. Everything unfolded gradually, each moment revealing a little more of the beauty that had been there all along.

Those precious moments remind me to slow down, watch, wait, and savor the beauty surrounding me. I wonder how often I miss what God is doing because I look for the finished picture rather than appreciating what is unfolding before me.

There is something reassuring about the gradual. We often want immediate answers, instant change, and visible results. Yet, so much of God’s creation reminds us that beauty takes time to unfold. The morning light slowly pushes back the darkness. And sometimes, our own understanding and spiritual growth develop in much the same way. God is at work even when we cannot see the whole picture.

Heavenly Father,

I give You all praise, honor, and glory. You have created beauty all around me. You alone are the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in them. What an awesome and mighty God You are!

Help me to slow down and recognize Your handiwork. Teach me to wait patiently, to appreciate the gradual unfolding of Your work, and to trust You even when I cannot yet see the finished picture. May I never become so distracted by the demands of the day that I miss the wonder of Your presence.

Let my life, like the heavens above, declare Your glory.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can read the other writers’ posts and share your own here: https://fiveminutefriday.com