Springing Forward
On Daylight Saving Time, have you ever stayed up to watch the time change? I used to love doing this and it was quite a surreal experience. I would wait in bed into the early hours of the morning, scrolling through my phone. At 2 a.m., as if by magic, I would watch the time skip forward an hour and then the next day, there would be this mystic hour of extra sunlight.
This weekend marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time (Friendly reminder to reset your clocks!). And while we may moan and groan about losing an extra hour of sleep, and we worry about our technology cooperating so we aren’t late to anything, there is still something special about this practice.
These winter months can get hard as we’re cloaked in darkness, snow, wind and cold. While these months persist, we spend less time outside in creation. We spend less time being exposed to the sun. We spend more time inside, seeking for a way to release energy. Even though we had a mild winter this year, it still gets gloomy when the sun sleeps so early.
But then after Daylight Saving Time begins, we are blessed with an extra hour of sunlight. We are gifted this beautiful light after being in the hibernation of darkness for so long, and so much bursts forth. The world gets a little bit happier, a bit brighter. The trees come to life and the grass turns greener. I see the joy on people’s warm faces and more smiles between strangers. Along with the light, we are gifted infinite opportunities to use it.
An extra hour of light to go on a walk with loved ones or a furry friend.
An extra hour of light to read a book outside.
An extra hour of light to drive home with visibility.
An extra hour of light for an outdoor get together.
An extra hour of light to be a light for others.
How will you use this extra hour of sunlight?
Creator God, thank you for the power of the sunlight and all that it provides for us. From vitamins for our bodies, to helping the plants flourish, to keeping our earth warm, your light is great. May the loving light of Christ in all of us shine through.
By Dana Rademacher