Series Out My Back Door photo by Nancy Tally (pictured above)
All my life I have feasted my eyes on the colors of the sky. They have warmed my soul and imparted a sense of peace and acceptance. Along with the evening winds that arise with the setting of the sun, the colors of the sunset have been an extension of God’s arms descending from the heavens to envelope and embrace me--body, soul and spirit.

Kingston Sky photo by Nancy Tally
While attending what was then called "Literature Crusades." my roommate and I would get up in the dark just before dawn and go to the east side of the compound to greet the first rays of the sunrise; then walking, usually backwards. across campus, we followed the growing colors till they faded into the pale blue of the morning sky.

Fresno, California photo by Nancy Tally
In the evening, we would be back waiting to see what colors God’s paintbrush had spread across the sky. Again we would chase the colors from the east to the west as far as we could go which included climbing the jungle gym in the school yard across the street because its height gave us just a few more minutes to view the sky over the top of the tree line.

Sisters, Oregon photo by Nancy Tally
In the 1990s, after I turned more than a few meals into burnt offerings, I became known for turning off my stove and going outside to watch the spectacular colors move from east to west.

Pismo Beach, California and Lake Michigan at Muskegon, Michigan photo by Nancy Tally
Friends insisted that our sunsets during those years were so incredible with intense pinks, reds, oranges, purples and yellows, often highlighted with brilliant outlines of sparkling white and silver because God knew I was waiting and watching and he wanted to delight me.

Series Out My Back Door photo by Nancy Tally

Stormy Sunset in Bloomingdale, Illinois photo by Nancy Tally

Sisters, Oregon photo by Nancy Tally
No surprise I consider sunsets wondrous and beautiful. They fill me with awe at God’s infinite creativity. I marvel at his color palette and the depth he easily puts into his daily masterpieces. He arouses my curiosity and I long to know how did he do that? Could I paint the sunset?

Koko Head, Oahu, Hawaii photo by Nancy Tally
While I have found I can’t paint sunsets, I can take photos. No need to ask who creates these masterpieces for I already know it is the God who I call Abba. Sunsets raise questions in my mind such as what is God up to today? Who else is he speaking to right now?

Series Out My Back Door photo by Nancy Tally
I believe a sunset is an embodiment of wonder, of beauty.

Series Out My Back Door photo by Nancy Tally
After all, the heavens were meant to declare the glory of God.

San Simeon, California photo by Nancy Tally
Is there anything more wondrous, more beautiful than his glory?