The sun shines on the righteous

We often say when it’s sunny, ‘The sun shines on the righteous,’ many won’t know the rest of that quote:

‘He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.’ Matt 5:45 NIV

I was lying in bed today, there’s something not at all unusual anymore. Looking out at the sunshine, more unusual. Those words came to me. But the reason they came to me was this. Sunshine gives life, it brings joy, it lifts our mood. Without light, sunlight there is no life on earth. It’s a strange thing but I have never really enjoyed the sun. As a child I covered up, rather than wore shorts. As a teenager and young adult, I never lay on a beach soaking up the sun’s rays. My preference was rock pooling, swimming, surfing, snorkelling. I preferred activities to lying on a beach in the sun. Never really getting the appeal of sunbathing.

I was chatting to one of my carers yesterday, about the time before I was ill. I walked as much as possible. I would never drive if walking was an option. Walking was my preference. Even in the periods of better health I have had over the years then walking has featured a lot.

Strange then that I experience life on wheels now. It’s a very different viewpoint. Lower angled as I am 5’ 10” and in a wheelchair I am only about 5’. Bumpier on wheels and I am wider in a wheelchair; because my hips are not 600mm (my wheelchair width) whatever that is in inches. I suppose I do soak up the sun more now, both seated in a garden and in the park. Not on a beach, my wheelchair can’t manage that; some can.

I make no comment about which category I come into when the sun shines on me. But I do like it’s warmth. I was always very hot blooded when I was well. Now I cannot move as much, my circulation is poor, and I feel the cold. One good thing is because I get regular lymphatic massage my muscles have not withered away. I guess it stimulates them. One of my Carers said it looks as if my legs could just walk. That’s true, the leg muscles look reasonable. Not as bulky and well-built as they once were, but not withered either. So that’s good. I guess we tend to go a lot by appearances. A different carer made a separate comment the other day. I have very soft feet. That’s because I haven’t walked in two years. I suppose there must be some advantages.

Where was I going with all this? Enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the warmth, enjoy life, enjoy the light. There’s good and bad in all our lives. Make the best of it and find the enjoyment. The sun will still shine, occasionally, even in the UK. But even when it doesn’t, there are things to enjoy. Take care and find enjoyment in your live.

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