Even Better

Tried another place this morning for my personal reflection time. This is just off Westmount at Columbia (that's in Waterloo for any out of town readers). There's a spot right by the water - no dock - but I took the camping chair there this morning to watch the sunrise. It's quieter, in terms of no joggers or bikers going by, like there was at Waterloo Park. But what you can't hear by looking at the picture, of course, is the morning traffic noises.

Just the same, it was a close facsimilie to my morning on the deck with my tea. Even had a blue heron swoop majestically past to land in the marsh nearby.

Been pondering on the reality of sin these past few days. I know. Hardly sounds positive, but us pastoral types, by virtue of our occupation, come face to face with it more often than normal people do. The particular situation that prompts these ponderings makes me mad, but mostly just deeply sad for all those involved.

The Apostle John brought comfort to me this morning by the water, through these familiar words.

If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts. 1 John 1:8-10

I was encouraged, because in the situation at hand confession has been made and things have been brought to the light. This is good. Honest confrontation of wrong is exactly what John is talking about. Healing can begin. Forgiveness can be received. Cleansing can happen. Good thing. We're all of us badly in need.

A new day. That's what I love about a sunrise. New mercies, fresh start, a brand new slate on which we can co-author the story God is writing into our lives.