Mornings

Awake, my soul!
    

Awake, harp and lyre!
    

I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 57:8 NIV

How are your mornings these days?

I’ve been working on a better morning routine for the past 5 years - it’s a difficult job!

When the kids were young, I’d get up early to have some quiet time before the day began. I’d feel God calling to me, asking me to settle into the early quiet, allowing Him to cover my day. I knew I could not face the day alone - days filled to the brim with homeschooling three children, while making meals and doing laundry and housework and keeping ministry commitments. Most days I did not reach the end of my To Do list. But God helped me every morning to get up, ready to work again.

Now I’ve entered a new season: empty-nesting. I’m especially grateful for the easier pace of most days. Enjoying that first cup of coffee with Steven. Spending unhurried time in God’s Word as He teaches me lessons for the day. And then pouring myself into my work. Not that it’s flawless every day, but it is sweet.

Starting the morning with gratitude is a habit I want to cultivate. I can get so caught up in thinking my work is the most important thing I’ll do today. But it’s not. Instead, it’s so much more important to begin my day thanking God for all He’s done for me (maybe especially bringing me through those early topsy-turvy years!). And I am grateful for what He will do for me today - I don’t yet know what it is, but I expect it will be just what I need.

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
    

for I am trusting you.


Show me where to walk,
    

for I give myself to you.

Psalm 143:8 NLT

Spending time with my heavenly Father sets the morning on course. The quiet helps me start the day feeling refreshed instead of stressed. It gives me time to listen because He knows exactly what this day will hold. And I can trust Him to hold me, through it all.

Beginning the day in quiet helps me to be ready.

Then the rest of the day will fall into place.

Today is a GOOD day!

Natalie