Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light.  God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness.  God called the light day, and the darkness He called night.  And there was evening and there was morning, one day.  -Genesis 1:3-5

I love the night skies!  Or should I say the early morning skies?  Or both, because they are not the same.  By nature, I am a morning person - a very early morning person.  Folks who never rise before the sun are truly missing out on a glorious portion of God's creation!
 
I am not a night owl, mainly because I start my day so early that my batteries have completely discharged by 11:00 p.m.  However, for as long as I can remember, I have been enamored by the sights, scents, and sounds of summer nights.  Sitting on my front stoop late at night, it's a noisy place in the front yard, even after turning off the mower and the blower. 
 
I am blessed that the end of my cul-de-sac backs up to the Simpsonwood Retreat Center, acres of natural habitat to a wild animal kingdom.  I close my eyes and listen to the singing chorus of cicadas, crickets, and katydids, competing with the neighborhood hoot owl and howling coyotes.  The occasional engine noise from a passing vehicle is the only reminder that I live in suburbia.
 
Connecting with God in our modern culture is becoming more and more challenging.  We live in a world where many things vie for our attention.  Our lives are filled with the noise of multimedia.  We have a wealth of information - some useful, some not - at our fingertips 24/7.  Yet, we crave simplicity, a life where we can get back to the basics, finding and creating a more intimate, holy space with God without the many distractions which clutter our lives.
 
One of the ways we can connect with God is to simply reflect on what God has created, a blessing which is just outside our door.  Go on a prayer walk, tend to God's creation through gardening, or savor every moment of a beautiful sunset.  Dwell on the majesty of God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to your soul as you enjoy the beauty of God's creation. 

Prayer for Today
 
For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night, hill and vale, and tree and flower, sun and moon, and stars of light:  Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.  Amen.