Words to Grow On
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23
I am amazed by how many individuals mess up every new day with yesterday. GARY CHAPMAN
Set the Scene
You don’t have to be a morning person to appreciate the beauty and significance of a sunrise. Every dawn brings with it a fresh supply of mercies and blessings from God. On this Sunrise Date, you and your spouse will be witnesses to the new day as it breaks. You’ll greet the arrival of dawn, marvel at God’s astonishing creation, celebrate His goodness in providing a new day, and enjoy each other’s company in a romantic setting.
Make It Happen
Granted, all you really need for this date is the largest object in the solar system. But if you want to make the date truly memorable, there are a few things you can do.
1 Scout locations for the best vista you can find. If you’re a morning person, check out a few sunrises by yourself in advance of your date. Try to find the best location in your area to view the sunrise. For example, you might look for a nature setting that offers an unobstructed view of the eastern horizon.
2 Know your meteorology. You can find the times for sunrise and sunset at most weather-forecasting sites. (Or, if you’re seriously old school, you can consult your personal copy of The Farmer’s Almanac.) Once you know the time of the sunrise, you can plan your date accordingly.
3 Adjust your sleep schedule. Make sure you both get plenty of rest the night before your Sunrise Date. This is especially important if one (or both) of you is not a morning person. The last thing you want to do is arrive tired and cranky for your date.
4 Don’t show up empty-handed. Bring along some coffee . . . doughnuts . . . coffee . . . bagels and cream cheese . . . coffee . . . pastries . . . coffee . . . or perhaps your favorite fast-food breakfast sandwiches. Just don’t forget the coffee. For maximum effect, pack a basket (complete with plates, napkins, utensils, and anything else you might need) and enjoy a picnic breakfast together while you watch the sun rise.
5 Approach the date with a Psalm 118:24 attitude. The verse says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Reflect that spirit in your interaction with each other. Talk about the sacredness of the new day-and how you can show your joy and gladness for it.
Finish Strong
Before you end your Sunrise Date, spend a few minutes talking with each other about the experience and what you’ll take away from it. Use the following questions as needed to guide your discussion. Why is it so easy to lose sight of the potential that every new day brings? What does God want us to do with this day? How can we help each other maintain a “Psalm 118:24 attitude”?
Mind Your Language
If your significant other’s primary love language is Gifts, create a memento of your Sunrise Date. As dawn is breaking, take a picture together with the sunrise clearly visible behind you. Print the photo, find the perfect frame for it, and present it to your date, along with a note that says something like, “The sunrise is only the second most amazing thing in this photo. Thank you for greeting a new day with me.”
Take It to God
Before your Sunrise Date, spend some time in prayer as a couple. Thank God for the coming new day-and for His mercies and blessings that will come with it. Thank Him for letting you greet the new day with your amazing friend. Ask Him to: Bless your early-morning time together; Help you recognize His mercies and blessings throughout the day; Help you help others recognize and appreciate the opportunities that a new day brings.
Dig Deep
If you’d like to read more passages that fit the theme of the Sunrise Date, try these.
Judges 21:4
Psalm 118:24
Malachi 1:11
Mark 1:35
Luke 1:78
A Ministry of Woodland Community Church 