|
|
|
| Day and Night"...even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you." Psalm 139:12 Dear Friends: God must live in Sweden, because as far as I could tell, it never gets dark there. Each day seemed to last forever, as sunlight lingered and people were still eating in outdoor cafes and walking the streets in happy crowds until 11 and 12 p.m. We routinely stayed up way too late, because we had no visual cue to remind us that it was time to start thinking about rest. I got up early every day, even after only a few hours of sleep, because the sun was once more beaming intensely through the window. Holland was not quite so extreme. The Herron Sweet family went to the beach one evening, had dinner, and then actually watched the sun set as we walked along the shore of the North Sea. It was 10 p.m. The long hours of daylight gave us the gift of maximizing our ability to see and do things during our vacation. The hours were filled to the brim with sight seeing, soccer games, excursions, and explorations. We were continually amazed by our own endurance. After a very lengthy (and spectacular) opening ceremony at the Gothia Cup, which ended near "midnight," one parent said, "Thank goodness that's over. I was afraid it was going to go on until dark." Among the surprises was how thoroughly I got used to endless day. On the second evening after my return home I came down to a church for a meeting that was to start at 7 p.m. I caught myself thinking how strange it was that the sky was going dim! Certainly one of the joys of travel is having new experiences and learning to think in new ways. But travel is not the only way to have our eyes opened and our minds and hearts expanded. The opportunity to listen and learn often presents itself right here at home. For example, I am very much looking forward to the visit that Imam Sharif Battikhi will pay to our church on August 10 (see front page). His willingness to talk to us about the Islamic faith will, I hope, help us to deepen our appreciation of our Muslim neighbors, and increase our awareness of spiritual light. I'm glad I had a chance to get a brief taste of what it might mean to say, "the night is as bright as the day" Now I have a new image of the shining promise that with God, our lives are abundantly full. With affection for you all and gratitude for a safe arrival home, Pastor April
|
|
|