I Would Have Missed It

It was an hour before the alarm would go off.  My eyes popped open because my brain was in overdrive.  There were so many things to do.  I went through my day over and over.  There was one part I wasn’t sure how it would happen.  It needed to happen, but I couldn’t figure it out.  And so my brain continued to go through all the scenarios.  

This morning isn’t all that unusual.  Many mornings I wake up with an agenda and a plan.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes not.  This particular morning I was more overwhelmed than usual.  I felt the weight of it all.  I tried to go back to sleep – I still had an hour to go and it would be an early morning as it was.  I needed this hour of sleep.  But there was no use.  

I had told myself the night before that if I woke up early, I would go for a run.  I felt confident I wouldn’t wake up early.  It was really cold outside and I honestly did not want to face it.  I just wanted to stay in my warm bed and sleep until the last moment.  But, it didn’t turn out that way.  I was awake.  I was going to fight it and then I had a glimpse, a momentary vision.  It was of a beautiful night sky filled with stars.  It was breathtaking.  It was as if the vision was speaking to me – this is what awaits.  If I’m honest, I still didn’t want to go out in the cold so early.  But I got up.

I put on my winter running clothes and headed out the door, very reluctantly.  I knew I would feel better if I would just go.  So, I did.  The run was challenging – I am not in as good of shape as I would like.  It was cold and dark.  But I headed out anyway.  

Here’s what happened – the view was there…the vision was correct.  I had forgotten how amazing the night sky was on cold mornings.  The moon was bright and the stars sparkled.  I was in awe, one more time.  

This was my reminder of what an artist the Creator is.  The painting poured out before me could not be replicated.  Photos would never do it justice.  The moment was just that – a moment in time.  I would have missed it if I had not gotten up.  I would have slept through the magic.  

This doesn’t mean I won’t sleep through it in the future.  It was a powerful reminder of what awaits if I am simply willing to get moving.  Breathe, watch God work, and admire the creation laid before us.  What a morning indeed.