I'm in love with an Artist. He paints the most incredible visuals, every day, somewhere. Today, He chose Atlantic Shore, Barbados, to display His handiwork. It began to take shape around 5 o'clock in the evening and by 5:45, a stunning vista of glorious color was before my eyes. These colors had never been seen in the same palate: turquoise, deeper than you could imagine; ivory, the creamiest ever; salmon pink that was so inviting, it was almost edible; purple, deep and rich and royal; silver streaks and charcoal grey blobs and gold, turning to copper and brilliant deep yellow. Behind this amazing creation glowed a light that is beyond description; a light that brought all the other colors to life. The surfers had all gone home and there was not a single ship on the horizon. A Barbados sunset, just for me.
To put all of this in a context, Barry and I have been given the most incredible gift. A very sweet young English couple, Tom and Emily, invited us to housesit for them while they were on a three week Christmas visit to the U.K. We didn't have to think about it for very long. You see, we can walk across the narrow street outside their house with a cup of coffee in our hands, park ourselves on a bench and watch the roiling Atlantic surf. We can feel the spray on our faces. Every day we watch surfers waiting for just the right moment, that one special ride that will thrill their hearts and make the waiting worthwhile. We have been going to sleep at night with the sound of the ocean singing a symphony as the waves break on the shore. Emily and Tom perhaps were not aware that their gift to us was coming from the heart of Father God. Sometimes we are just not aware that He is using those around us to give us His great gifts.
I began to ponder the fact that each sunset is unique. There have never been two the same. Does that make you think of anything else? Perhaps your finger prints, or the irises of your eyes, or the grains of sand on the seashore? Of course, a snowflake. Perhaps your child or children: never two the same even if they are twins.
Let's get a little bit more up close and personal. What about you?
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my
soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them."
"Fearfully and wonderfully made." That means you. That means me. I don't think that we can really comprehend our uniqueness, our total one of a "kind-ness", the absolute wonder of being the first and the last like you.
Just as Father God creates unique, one of a kind sunsets, he created a unique, one of a kind you. There will never be another me, another you.
.jpg)
The next time you see a sunset, no matter where you happen to me, take a moment to remember: this sunset is one of a kind; you are one of a kind. You are unique, hand-fashioned in your mother's womb by the Artist.
