Thin Space

Have you ever heard of a “thin space”?  For many people this refers to a place or moment that just feels easier to connect with God, that somehow in these spaces, Heaven and Earth are not so far apart and his Presence is felt. 

For me, sunrise at the beach has always been a thin space.  In the quietest moments of the day, as the first light begins to illuminate the sky, the waves roll in rhythmically, and I feel a peace in my soul, a sense of wonder in my mind.  I ponder how big my Creator is to have dominion over the vast ocean, how beautiful his creation truly is, and how my part in it, though tiny, is somehow special to Him.  In this space I often hear his tender whispers and I’m amazed that he desires to speak to me, often in unexpected ways.

The problem for me with finding this thin space, is that I am not a morning person.  I’m a night owl by nature, but I like sleep.  I like to wake up late, and slowly sip a cup of coffee in a comfy space in my pajamas.  So, rushing out to the beach before the break of day is just not something that comes naturally to me! 

Recently, on a weekend getaway with my family in the Outer Banks, I felt a hunger in my heart to connect with God; but as I crawled into bed at 1am and realized that sunrise was at 5:59am, I thought it highly unlikely that I would be getting out of bed for that!  I told God though, “if you want to meet me on the beach tomorrow, you’ll have to wake me up.”  I did not set an alarm.

I fell asleep deeply, but at some point, while still dreaming, I began to become aware.  My body was still asleep, but my soul began stirring.  It was as if someone was rubbing my back ever so gently, inviting me to wake up, but not wanting to disturb me.  As the awareness grew, I chose to open my eyes.  It was 5:55am.  I realized my Father was ever so gently inviting me to the beach, but I wondered why he didn’t wake me a little sooner.  The sun rises quickly at the beach, and it’s those few moments before and after dawn that are most special.  I thought it highly unlikely that I would be able to get up and over the steep dune across the street in time for those moments, but tentatively I walked to the door and stepped out. 

In my pajamas, I climbed the dune and found the sun directly in front of me, a tiny glowing orange ball, just barely over the ocean, casting the most beautiful glow across the beach.  It was as if it was in slow motion, as the hazy morning slowed the process and the light remained soft.  The sandpipers ran about, plucking coquinas from the sand, and the pelicans flew by silhouetted by the rising sun.  It was truly magical. 

I didn’t hear any profound words that morning, but what I sensed was my Father’s delight that I had asked for that time with Him, and that I had accepted his invitation that morning.  He was delighted that I was with Him, and that I was so delighted by the birds and the sea and the gentle glow of the sun.  I knew that he was reminding me how much he likes to give good gifts to his children, and how the joy of giving a gift is seeing the delight of the one receiving it. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17