Rise and shine.
These three words bring me back to my childhood,
When our mother would call up the stairs to awaken us.
Rise and shine,
She would say in a cheerful voice.
I was an enthusiastic child,
So that is exactly what I would do.
I would rise up,
Stretch and welcome the new day with a smile on my face and a little bounce in my step.
I think about these words now and well,
I'm mid-century and I think about how this phrase shaped my life.
Rise and shine.
Rise.
To get up.
To awaken.
To welcome the new day.
Rise has a sense of purpose in it.
You're not just rolling out of bed,
It's not roll out and shine.
There is power in the word rise.
Well,
It's even biblical.
Rise up this day.
Rise above whatever happened yesterday.
Rise to the occasion.
For each day is a new day.
Each day is a blessing.
So rise up.
And then I think about the word shine and rise and shine.
Be the bright light that you are.
Put a smile on your face.
Let love shine out of your very being.
That shine that you project is very powerful.
For that shine,
That light,
That love touches the heart in others.
Even though those people whose light is but a flicker,
Your light gives strength to them.
It brings hope and joy into a world that desperately needs it.
Rise above all things like fear,
Loneliness,
Heartache,
Sorrow,
Pain,
Even boredom.
And shine my loves.
Shine with the radiant light of who you are.
You are loved,
So you are loving.
You are peace,
So you are peaceful.
You are kind,
So you are kindness.
You are hope,
So you are hopeful.
You are blessed,
So you are a blessing.
Rise and shine.
Let your light go before you and shine into the hearts of others.
Rise and shine.
Thank you for joining me this morning.
May God bless you and many blessings.
God bless you.
