While I was praying with my small group 2 weeks ago, God gave me a vision of open hands and the word surrender kept coming to me. The cool thing is that it came while praying for my friends, but yet it was for me, too! I love how God speaks in the midst of a community that seeks Him together. The next day I suddenly felt empowered to begin a new morning rhythm. I LOVE it! It’s becoming my favorite part of the day. I am not one to have a scripted quiet time, but for some reason I felt a prompting to try implementing certain things more regularly. I realized I needed some focus and direction. So, I wrote a list of 6 things on a bright pink index card (so it stands out!!) that I feel God is leading me to do more often. I’m pretty confident that in order to change patterns and instill new habits, it takes retraining.
Here’s the 6 things I’m trying to be more faithful with first thing in the morning before anyone gets up:
-Surrendering anything and everything in prayer with my hands open
-Writing in my praise journal a few things each day
-Journaling
-Read scripture
-Pray for others
-Write a few goals for the day
I am really LOVING my new morning rhythm. I don’t do all 6 every day. Sometimes I spend more time writing out scripture I find or praying or journaling. These things are all intertwined anyways, but for some reason having a bright pink index card with these 6 things keeps me focused. Even when I’m tired, somehow the silly little card gives me direction and focus so I don’t just stray to the computer instead.
The fruit of this new rhythm keeps me coming back for more each day. In the last week we have all seen a doctor. Kylie for some stomach issues. Myself for starting Lupron injections to treat my endometriosis. Leyland, our cat, for limping. And RD went to the ER after someone hit him at a stop sign earlier this week, which gave him a mild concussion. Oh my! What a week! But the really awesome thing is that I’ve been more at peace. My house has been unkept, but my spirit has been calm. I even found myself throughout the day saying “God, I surrender ______ to you.” When I was off the phone with RD after his accident, the first thing I did was open my hands and pray. Right then and there I realized the impact of how I’ve been starting my day. It REALLY does make a difference. If I pray and fill my heart, mind, and spirit with God’s spirit in the morning, I’m more inclined to seek Him throughout the day. I am not as weary because I’m not trying to live this life on my own strength. I am not as fearful or worried. God’s light becomes brighter than the darkness.
It’s funny how I know this truth in my head, but yet find it so hard to do on a regular basis. I let fatigue and my other list of things to do cry out louder and I give in. My sinful nature wins and by the end of the day I find myself exhausted and weary. Sigh.
Today, I am thankful for my little pink index card. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness as I once again attempt to make Him first in my life. I’m so thankful for these moments of morning glory that fill me, uplift me, empower me, and bring me focus.
❤