Sunsets

“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.  Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.”  Dive Master Dan

Every day has a sunset whether you actually see it or not.  Some are brilliant and hard to miss, while some are hidden behind clouds.  No matter what, I love watching the sun set at the end of the day especially over a lake, ocean, or mountain.  It is God’s exclamation point on the day!

Weathermen go about trying to predict what the next day, next 5 day, next 10 day forecast will be by using all their radar, computers, etc. and most of the time, they get it wrong!  So, I choose to use the much simpler method which is stated above.  There actually is scientific proof that if the sky is red at night, that means there is a huge concentration of dust particles in the air.  This indicates high pressure and stable air coming from west – so good weather.  In contrast, if the sky is red in the morning, that means the good weather has passed and there is higher water content in the atmosphere – thus, rain on the way!

There is also Biblical confirmation of the red sky philosophy.  “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather for the sky is red.’  And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today for the sky is red and threatening.’  You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the sign of the times.”  Matthew 16:2-3

There are times in my life when I wish with all my heart that I could predict or interpret the future for myself, my children, my grand children, my family, my friends, and my church family, but then I would play God. Each sunset is different  – some brilliant red, some yellow, some orange, but all beautiful in a different way.   Each day in life is different with its surprises, joys, disappointments, unexpected happenings, and even grief. It’s the differences that makes life meaningful and beautiful just like a gorgeous sunset!  It might not always be the way we want it to be, but it is still a God given blessing.

At the end of each day, we have a choice to compare life to our expectations or to thank God for what we have actually been given.  We can rejoice in the small surprises and differences in each day if we only take the time and know that God holds each day in His mighty hand!