Ahh … Hmm … feel it? A radiance of warmth bestowed upon us … giving cozy feelings as we remember the recent snowy days of January. The Sun continues to give promise of warmer spring days to follow the recent icy weather.

I am reminded of a character in a book written by Toni Morrison, a favorite author. In the book “Beloved” a young country girl living in the mid-1800’s expressed a cherished secret – an almost magical time for the girl as she related the wonder of awaking one morning with sunshine in her face. As she shared this phenomenon with a new friend, the memory of that wonderful morning reflected upon the poor country girl’s sweet-faced countenance. It was a secret given to a friend … perhaps spoken in a quiet voice for fear of sounding lazy.

By the girl’s reaction, one would assume there was not much in her life to bring joy, but what is the measure of joy? The country girl, a sweet, simple human with dreams of a better life … a better life of good health, simple satisfying meals, people to love, a roof over her head, a hot Saturday night bath, and a church house on Sunday, plus … maybe a little bit of learning, and a deep abiding faith in her Maker. Yes, her joy was sufficient.

As I reflect upon the character’s joy, I realize again and again that I am very Blessed for my life, and the joy of early morning Sunshine in my face … to have the opportunity to awake with blinking eyes and the promise of a brilliant day before me. The girl’s life, when compared to our lifestyle in the twenty-first century, is very thought provoking and sobering.

I wondered … what would she think of designer sunglasses such as Oakley, Chanel, or Bvlgari with a price tag of $400.00 or more, or striped to the skin slithers of fabric calling itself bikini swimwear?

She would have marveled at the thought of a sunscreen product as she wore a big straw hat to shield the hot rays, and long sleeved cotton dresses to protect her skinny hard-working arms from stinging bugs. There would be no archy-wedged sandals displaying a fancy pedicure as the pink toenails emulated rosebuds … or whatever – no trips to the nail shop to repair a broken acrylic fake nail. Fake nail? That would be beyond her wildest imagination.

None of this would be necessary in the cotton patch or rows of purple-hull peas. The highlights in her long hair would not come from a salon with costs of $200.00 or more. No, her friend and sometimes enemy, the Sun, would provide the bleaching product.

Her workweek would not provide a two or three day weekend … rather six full days in the fields beginning before dawn and ending at dusk – every week … at day end only to arrive at her home, a humble log-hewed cabin, to make a stark meal for the family. Sunday morning was warmly welcomed, and she with the entire family, would climb into the wagon and head off to church … a wonderful day, a day to offer thanks for their good life. Good life, we ask?

Her needs were simple, yet in the terms of survival her needs were desperate. A failed crop could bring disaster to the entire family … the loss of the plowing mule or milk cow, the death of a family member, too much rain, not enough rain … all critical for survival.

There would not be a senior class trip, a high school prom, fancy party dresses, dental care, contacts, or laser surgery to correct the vision of her beautiful eyes. Yes, her eyes were beautiful, yet the scope of her vision was narrow and hampered by her circumstances.

In her life there was no need for exercise at a high-dollar health spa, or a fat farm for reduction of plumpish pounds. She never experienced idle moments of boredom or extra time on her hands. She didn’t walk the track or join Weight Watchers.

Perhaps she didn’t know of the fancy ladies at Richmond or Atlanta. The pretty ball gowns, elaborate tea parties, intricate needlework, and the joy of playing a musical instrument – if she did not know, then her heart could not yearn for the unknown.

Yet … one wonderful morning she awoke with sunshine in her eyes.



Heavenly sunshine, heavenly sunshine,

Flooding my soul with glory divine

Hallelujah, I am rejoicing,

Singing His praises, Jesus is mine.