I imagine we all have places we would rather be, especially when we are stuck somewhere we would rather not be, doing something we would rather not do.
For me these “wish I were there” places would certainly include the beach at dawn or dusk. Watching the sunrise or the sunset on a beach has always been a miraculous experience for me. The sights, the sounds, the breeze—all my senses are bathed in wondrous sensations which lift my heart in praise to the Creator in the midst of such magnificent majesty and beauty.
Mountain tops can be just as inspiring, being able to look all around and view the valleys and the trees and the rivers and waterfalls, and occasionally, eagles soaring on the winds.
And then there are gardens where blossoms of every color tease our eyes with the glory of God inviting us to wonder at the variety He displays in His created beauty.
But none of these compare to what those faithful women discovered when they arrived at His empty tomb on Resurrection Morning. Imagine the confusion and then the joy they must have felt when the angels announced to them, “He is risen!” Oh, to have had the privilege of being among the first to hear those thrilling words which changed their world and ours forever.

OH, TO BE

Oh, to be upon a morning beach
exploring by the
sea, watching
awed as comes the sun
discovering the frothy waves
billowing the waters,
the sands, and the
dancing dolphins . . .

Oh, to be upon a mountain top
before the dawn
and watch in awe
as comes the sun
revealing first the mighty peaks
and then those awesome cliffs,
mighty eagles soaring,
waterfalls a’glittering. . .

Oh, to be seated in a garden
amazed by sights
all around, the dew
upon a rose,
cardinals proud in red,
robins searching for
their worms, daisies
dancing in the breeze. . .

Oh, to be standing with those
women, faithful by His
empty tomb, shocked
to see His angels,
to hear their bold
declaration, “He
is not here, He is
risen, go and tell . . .”

M.S.
June 13, 2021

And as they were frightened and
bowed their faces to the ground,
the men said to them,
”Why do you seek the living among the dead?”
He is not here, but has risen.”

Luke 24:5-6a