Friday, January 19, around 11:30. I log off work for a little while to go out and see if I see her today. Sola. Here in Bodø she is gone for about 6 weeks in the winter. We don't have darkness, but she hides behind Børvasstindan, the mountain range to the south.

Here in the north, we're celebrating. Kindergartens have sun parties and adults almost become springtime animals, even though it's far too early. I remember thinking it was very strange when I was new in town 26 years ago. People acted so strangely about seeing her again after those weeks of absence. Grown-ups... It wasn't many years before I had become the same!

This Friday I was really hoping to see her. It had been more than a week since she was back, but bad weather and busy workdays had gotten in the way. I'd been looking forward to seeing other people's photos on social media. Was it finally my turn now?

I got dressed for the cold Bodø day and got in the car. I drove towards the city center (at my house there is no sun for another couple of weeks. But I'm happy to live on the side where the midnight sun can be enjoyed. My time is coming!). As I approached, and saw the glow of her in the surroundings, I felt a tingle of anticipation throughout me. As I rounded the last bend, I saw her. I was really moved. Warm in my heart. Tears in my eyes. It was a sacred moment in a way. All of me was touched by the presence of the sun. The sight of it. Her rays, even though she didn't really warm anything. I felt new in her presence. As if something came back to life.

I can also feel that trembling when I meet Him. When He suddenly comes with His presence and changes my whole day. Meets me in the middle of what is. Peace in the midst of challenging situations. On the beach on a summer evening, in the car on business trips, at home on the porch in the sun, in the meeting with people who convey something from Him to me. I come alive. I find new energy from His presence. It tingles throughout me.

I think God feels the same way when He thinks about you and me. Just look at this:

The Lord your God is with you, a hero who saves. He rejoices and delights in you and shows you his love anew. He rejoices over you with gladness. Zephaniah. 3, 17

God rejoices over us. Each and every one of us. Not just "all of us", and not just "everyone else" either. He delights in YOU! He can't get enough of you! He just wants to see you and be with you. He's tingling all over just thinking about you!

God never turns away from us. He is always near. But sometimes we can turn away a little. Be disturbed by people, situations and digital gadgets. I believe He waits with an expectation that we will soon be back where we are supposed to be. Very close.

I've heard that what it actually says is that he spins around his own axis of excitement when he sees you! I'd love to see that!

- Ingfrid Mundal, Bodø 25/01-24

He spins on his own axis of excitement when he sees you. I'd like to see that!