Awake to a Sunrise

by Sister Elena Gonzales on July 3, 2010

Sister Elena Gonzales

Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Elena Gonzales enjoys photography.

Hello, my name is Sister Elena Gonzales. I’m a Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity in temporary vows.  ( I renew my vows every year and am one step closer to becoming a finally professed Sister.) July 19th I will be moving to my next mission St. Peter Indian Mission, Bapchule, Arizona.

One of my joys is to take pictures. One early morning I took a picture of the sunrise. It was spectacular. When I took this picture my first thought was don’t fall off the chair. My second thought came later after I reviewed the picture and it reminded me of Psalm 108:2-4.

My heart is ready, God; my heart is ready.

I will sing and praise.

Awake, my soul; awake, lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn.

I will praise you among the peoples, LORD;

I will chant your praise among the nations.

It’s a beautiful praise for the glory of God. I’m really not a morning person, but at times I find myself waking up with this psalm in my mind as I awake. How do you praise God when you wake up? Do you see the beauty and AWESOMENESS of God in this photo?

 

  • Sister Chiara

    Your first thought is a great one to keep in mind, as well as the second one. That is a beautiful psalm; it fits well as a caption for this photo.
    God truly is the master artist!

  • Ruthannmyers

    Sr. Elena, I love your picture of the sunrise.
    Sr. Ruth Ann

  • Ruthannmyers

    Sister Elena, I love your photo of the sunrise.
    Sr. Ruth Ann

  • http://www.fscc-calledtobe.org Sister Julie Ann

    Gerard Manley Hopkins described sunrise -”Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs— and your picture captures this sensation/inspiration well. I look forward to seeing more of your 'possible falling off the chair moments' in photo form.

  • Snatalie

    Thank you for calling our attention once again to the beauty that God puts before our eyes day in and day out.
    God is with you as you prepare to meet His people in Arizona.
    God goes with you always!
    You are held in prayer.

  • srsharon

    Sr. Elena, Blessings to you in AZ. You will see many wonderful sunrises & sunsets. Have fun capturing them. Photography is so fascinating in highlighting the wonders of God's Creation. YES, HE is an awesome God! Sr. Sharon Paul

  • srelena

    Thanks for your kind comments. Manitowoc sure has it's beauty, but you have to wake up early to catch it!

  • Sannmary

    What a great picture of the sunrise! Your psalm fits well. Welcome to AZ. Hope we get together sometime.

  • sisterannemarielom

    Thank you, Sr. Elena, for sharing your “morning prayer of praise”. I appreciate you capturing that early glint. All of our souls need “awaking” often!

  • Sister Anne

    Thanks for sharing the captured sunrise and your heartfelt prayer, Sister Elena. May our hearts always be ready to sing His praise!

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  • Sr. Monica

    You're funny! I enjoy your sense of humor. This was also a wonderful reflection. God is so awesome and generous to bless us with sunrises and coffee in the morning. I am not a morning person either, but there are many gifts within the body's struggle to wake up. Oftentimes, my heart is ready, even if my eyes aren't.

  • Sjune

    I like sunrises, too. God bless you as you continue your journey with the Lord of the sunrise.

  • Sister Martin

    Thank you for your recalling this most moving Psalmto my heart. Together with the “awesomeness” of God, you have sahred another grace! Peace and All Good.

  • Kelly Christine Werner

    Dear Sr.Elena,
    Thank you for sharing your gift of photography and your reflective thoughts. I am glad to hear all is well. I wish you all the best at Bapchule; though my time there was short, I truly enjoyed the children. Blessings. Kelly Christine. Blessings on your renewal of vows.

  • Madden

    What a gorgeous photo and meaningful reflection, Sister Elena! Thanks. Naturally a “morning person,” I really enjoy the quiet and freshness of the dawn even if I'm still wiping the “fairy dust” from my eyes. Sunrise seems to hold the promise of possibilities: belief in others' potential, renewed energy, a re-commitment to follow the SON. I never thought about it that way, but perhaps those reflections that focus on HOPE are indeed a song of praise.

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