Dawn Chorus Reflection
Take a few minutes to listen to the chorus of dawn around and within you
From the middle of the night into a new day
Imagine that you wake up in the middle of the night – whether in the present moment or a time you bring to mind.
Lying in bed, listen to the many voices swirling inside your head. What has interrupted your sleep? Perhaps an anxiety or fear. Maybe something plaguing you from yesterday. Or a concern about the day ahead. Maybe it’s something you’re excited about – that already happened or that you are looking forward to. Pause and name these middle-of-the-night voices.
As you toss and turn, you hear something beyond these voices circling within you. Faintly, in the distance, you detect the sound of birds singing. Pause and listen. Take a moment to quiet your racing spirit with each deep breath. In, out. In, out. In, out.
Intrigued by this early morning chorus, pull yourself out of bed. Taking your blanket with you, step out into the darkness and make your way outside.
Wrapping yourself in your comforter, take a front row seat to the dawn chorus. Behold the loud, lively spectacle as dawn advances. Male birds sing their hearts out to woo passing females. Chirping, tweeting and twittering command the early morning airways.
Notice that this dawn chorus has drowned-out the voices that interrupted your sleep. All you hear now is this concert of birds as the sun slowly climbs up over the horizon. Observe the birds frolicking in the light of a new day. Tuning your ear, listen to the sounds coming from all around you blending into a beautiful melody.
As you behold the voices of these lovely creatures, you hear a gentle invitation in your spirt. “Come join us”! Indeed, creation is beckoning you to add your own voice to this chorus of hope. Listen to these words from Psalms:
Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord all the earth!
Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord all the earth!
Take a moment to reflect: What new song is being composed in your spirit – calming night-time voices?
As you continue your day, may this new song lift up your spirit in praise to our Creator. May the dawn chorus comfort, inspire and guide you today…