Morning Glories

This morning was a great morning! I woke up dark and early at 5:30am and headed off to the park near my house to watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan.

There is something magical about being awake before the city (I live in Chicago). At 5:30am there are no sirens, there are no horns, no screeching trains, nobody screaming at people to shut up from their windows... it's just peaceful.

I sat on my favorite rock and awaited the sun's morning glory. As expected... at exactly 6:03am the sun peaked over the low clouds on the horizon.

I sat amazed at the bright colors and in awe of God's continued goodness toward us. I closed my eyes and whispered "of course God, this is how you meant it to be, show me your glory..."

"SWEET HOME ALABAMA!!!!! WHERE THE SKIES ARE SO BLUE!!!!! SWEET HOME ALABAMA!!!! I'M COMING HOME TO YOU!!!!"

...What?!

On the rocks below me was a very mentally ill homeless fellow, backpack and sleeping bag in hand, starting his day by walking toward the city. Here was a man, awake before anyone really had to be on a Sunday, filthy from head to toe, no doubt starving and quite possible lonely... but joyful and singing all the same.

I think God answered my little prayer right then and there. It was His was of saying, "Yeah, the sunrise is cool- but this is soooooo much cooler- look at this man who I created and love so dearly!"

Be on the lookout for the glories of God. They surround us more intimately and completely than we will ever know.

A picture I took this morning.