What a wonderful time it is in East Texas when the first cool mornings begin to arrive. We, like the men in Jesus' parable, "who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day" (Matthew 20:12 NASB), really look forward to the cool days.

That love for "the cool of the day" may be one of the "inherited memories" of humankind. Do you remember that passage in Genesis when Adam and Eve have broken the command of God regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? The contrast is so strong. God is "walking in the garden in the cool of the day" (Genesis 3:8), a perfect time of beauty and peace, but this day will not be one of joy as it should have been. Rather than a time to rejoice in the presence of the LORD God, they are hiding in shame and fear. That day, the joy of the presence of God was replaced with the specter of the shadow of death. The ground, which had been so fruitful, produced thorns. Suffering and pain became the common companion of humankind. That sound of footsteps, which had been the source of so much joy and anticipation, had become a reason for fear and the presence of God in "the cool of the day" became a precious memory of a lost grace.

Now, because of the love which God has for His creation and for us, we look forward to the day when, hearing the footsteps of the LORD in "the cool of the day," we will rejoice in His merciful forgiveness. Thanks be to God for His unimaginable gift! What a day that will be when Adam's children are restored to the presence of the Living God. With King David of old we will cry out:

Lift up your heads,
O gates, and be lifted up,
O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in! (Psalm 24:7)

I love that old hymn with the chorus line, "We shall see the King someday." It begins with these words:

Though the way we journey may be often drear,
we shall see the King someday.
On that blessed morning clouds will disappear,
we shall see the King someday.

It may be one of the "inherited memories" of humankind.
After we "have borne the burden and the scorching heat," I would like to think that once more we will hear His footsteps in "the cool of the day"!

Every experience is added to our life's memory in some way. Everything we read, see, or feel becomes a part of us. Perhaps now, when you feel the blessedness of those first cool days, you will also think of the day when we all awake to the presence of the footsteps of the LORD in "the cool of the day" and rejoice that you are home once again!