INSPIRASUNS

Last night we had dinner with friends. They live near the water and asked us to stop by before dinner so we could watch the sunset with some snacks before heading out. We got there a little after five and enjoyed some time catching up. They weren’t in town when Ian hit, so we shared stories about the days after, and they shared what had taken place in their building, etc. They too had damage, and the stories of the incredible work of the clean-up crews continue to amaze me.

As the discussion continued, my friend looked up and said oh look, it’s almost time. I looked over and the sun was just coming down to the water. It was a beautiful evening and it was a beautiful orange glow on the water, (btw, the image of today’s little blog is last night’s sunset). My friend then said, someone has to do the honors and ring the bell. You see there is a tradition here, especially in the buildings near the beach that have many floors, highrises I guess you’d say. Anyone who wants to participate each evening, you ring a bell when you see the sun actually set. As you can imagine, in the season when the snowbirds are in town, you can hear bells ring as the sun makes its way down. Starting at the lower levels will see it set first, then the chimes continue up to the top floors. It really is quite something. Well, yes, I took my turn and rang the bell last night as the sun went out of sight into the water 🙂 .

As we gathered our things and headed back inside to go to dinner, I looked out the front window of their condo. I stopped and stared as the huge moon had risen on the other side. I grabbed a picture of that as well, although I admit for whatever reason my phone doesn’t like those as much.

I just continue to be in awe of this beautiful world we live in. Father has given so many gifts, and as I’ve said before, gifts that cost nothing. The gifts of these sunrises, sunsets, and moonrises are just simple things that show us we are loved by something much greater than us.

Recently I’ve noticed on social media that my friends are capturing and sharing more and more pictures of their sunrises and sunsets. This makes me smile as I think that people are stopping and taking a moment to enjoy these beautiful gifts. We need to do more of this, stop and enjoy, and share that enjoyment with others.

I hope today provides you the opportunity to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or even a moonrise. But, if not, I hope today provides a chance to see something else that is beautiful in God’s creation. Have a great day my friends, stop and enjoy 🙂 .

Psalm 124:8
Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Moonrise over Naples.