The Sunshine Vitamin

Very few foods in nature contain the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D.

Yet the roles and benefits of this vitamin are substantial,

especially as it is key to bone mineralization and skeletal strength.

It's worth seeking out the essential.

It's worth seeking out that which, in essence, makes us stronger.

And certainly many of us are at risk for deficiency

of the sunshine vitamin,

so the Creator creates us to receive benefit from light. Sunlight.

We are created to seek essential light for our strength.

Somehow the God of creation and light is also

the God of abundance

Who creates us in such a way that we receive multiple side-benefits

when we acknowledge our needs

and seek His requirements.

And the physical body is not the only part of us to feel weak at the knees

for something powerful and potent.

Light has a profound effect on all aspects of our health.

Sometimes the soul needs some wonder to feel wonderful, wonder-filled.

Sometimes the soul needs some awe to awaken.

Truly the light is sweet,

and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun. Eccl 11:7

And if we awaken early

just to find it...

just to see it...

just to take it in...

we might notice that just before the sunrise,

before the dawn,

darkness lingers and covers and masks and obscures.

And just before the resurrection, before the glory,

suffering lingers

and clouds over hope

and masks what is real

and obscures what is true.

But those who rise in the darkness

with the expectation of seeing and receiving light

will not be disappointed.

Those who rise above the darkness of situation and circumstance

with the expectation of witnessing the Light of the World

in the midst of situation and circumstance

will not be disappointed

but rather,

strengthened.

Uplifted.

Enlightened.

We are created to seek Light.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His Hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night, they display knowledge. Psalm 19:1

Enlightened.

Somehow nature and children are always reliable teachers of truth.

And it was during an airplane flight on a rainy afternoon, high in the bright sky, in which my younger daughter whispered, "It's comforting to know that above all of the gray and clouds, there is sunshine."

Let us press on to know the Lord.

His going forth is as certain as the dawn. Hosea 6:3

We need sunshine.

We need Son-Shine.

It's worth every effort to seek and find this restorative light and Light.

And the side-benefits?

When we make the effort

to take in the Light,

we suddenly have more strength

to spread light,

to lighten burdens,

and to encourage the enlightenment of each.

You (all) are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

So, the prescription we need for some awe, wonder and nourishment?

Plan ahead to rise at sunrise.

Your heart might skip a beat as you wait for the sun in the dark,

then again as you begin to see the sun emerge,

then again as you behold the awe of the sun ascending,

then again as you stand in full sun-glow, feeling this radiant energy.

It may temporarily take your breath away...

but Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul will thank you.

Eternally.