(image from http://taostyle.net/2017/08/total-eclipse-sun/)
Yesterday the area where we live experienced a total solar eclipse. While my husband saw the eclipse on a break from work in town, the kids and I were home here in the countryside and got to enjoy this beautiful phenomenon right in our own backyard. We were in awe of this beautiful and rare (to us, at least) natural event!
As the sun dimmed, the temperature dropped several degrees. Then for that short time when the moon completely covered the sun, we experienced what looked like sunset/sunrise colors in the sky all around the horizon in every direction!
One thing that was amazing to me was how the animals reacted to the eclipse. In that balmy, deep twilight the crickets began chirping and other night insects began to sing, too! As the sun's rays peeked out again, it was just like morning, because the rooster began to crow from our neighbor's coop! I saw that nature works like clockwork, the animals responding to cues in nature such as temperature and brightness/darkness. Right on cue, when sunset or sunrise cues came, the animals reacted as they always had.
I feel that's how the message of grace is for me. My spirit responds to it just like clockwork. Whenever I hear the truth of God's unconditional love and acceptance, the assurance that He's carrying us to a perfect happy ending, my spirit just leaps up within me and does the happy dance! It's like my inner person can clearly see God's loving face and my heart just melts in joy and peace! I guess God's love sets my inner cricket to chirping every single time..this message never gets old. It's just as special, as fresh and new, as invigorating as the first time I ever heard it.
Thank God for such love that refreshes our hearts every time!