The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23

I spent the early morning hours on our front deck this morning watching the sun rise. After the rain last night, the world woke up soft and quiet. A bit of fog lingered over the field across the road. The air was cool, damp, and fresh. I wish I could share the smell of the air with you. Birds were singing, and just as the sun began to rise, I saw a deer run across the field, free and full of life. (See a blurry image below.)

Sometimes, we come through the rain (seasons of hardship, grief, or waiting), and we find the world changed, not ruined but softened. The fog reminded me this morning that not everything has to be clear to be beautiful. And the sunrise reminded me that God’s mercy doesn’t wait for our clarity — it simply arrives every morning, faithful and sure.

I’m going to carry the quiet joy of this moment with me today: the mercy that follows the rain, the presence of God in the mist, and the promise of new beginnings, even in the cool stillness.

Let’s walk into this Sunday like that deer — bold and unafraid, because the One who made the sunrise is already ahead of us. Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!