the found the L-RD in the sunrise

i have met the L-RD in the sunrise. this week i woke up every morning before the dawn. looking out into the sky i can still see the stars. the mountains are just silhouettes in the background. when i am driving, the dawn breaks. darkness turns to light. the sky is blue and the sky is yellow and the mountains still live in their darkened mystery. and then i am working. grape by grape into the bucket. i work in silence since i am the foreigner of the group. i am the one who does not belong. in a work force full of aliens, i am the stranger. i begin to pray. and then the sun rises.

and this is when i tell him, i love! i love the mountains, and i love the pink florescent sky, and i love california, and i love this vineyard, still steaming from the morning dew. and, L-RD, i love you! i love you, i love you, i love you, and how long did it take for me to say that? and how long did it take for me to believe that you are good? but you are good and thank you for taking me here. the most beautiful of all places.

here, in this place, sweating in the sun, doing a job that no one wants, picking grapes. this place, exactly where i wanted to go, doing exactly what i wanted to do.

and then i cry out: give me a bigger heart! your love has stilled me, now move me with your love! give me more of you, sweet Jesus. You, like the gazelle, who leaped over the mountains just to be near me. You. Give me more of you. You who took me to the very place where I can love you again.

And six hot hours of manual labour goes by quickly in the silence, contemplation, prayer, and so much celebration.

i used to love the noon day sun, and i have always loved the sunset. but, i have found the L-RD in the sunrise.

So, papa G-D, moved me with your love so that I may love. So that I too may break forth like the dawn. So that my healing may come quickly.