March 4, 2020 – Good Mornings

I am in a group that is focusing on the topic of “Win the Morning”. I have always been a morning person until the last few years. As a veterinarian, wife, small farm manager, homeschooling mom and a mom of 3 teens, I’m constantly exhausted. I’m up late at night trying to get things accomplished after everyone else has gone to bed. I’m usually up early to get things done at the barn before the “real” day begins.

I have begun to want to sleep in whenever I can. I enjoy my bed so much more these days. My attitude has become one of dreading the mornings. It’s a negative cycle of being tired, having a poor attitude, and then dragging myself out of bed in a bad mood. That’s a terrible way to start the day!

This group has helped me get back to loving the mornings. Here are some of the tips we have talked about. And they really do work!

1 – Make your bed. Once you get up, making your bed gives you a sense of order and peace for the day. A made up bed gives you an anchor to the rest of the day which may spin out of control. You can control that beautifully made bed to welcome you back home at night.

2 – Prepare your attitude at night for the next morning. When you go to bed, don’t think about how hectic and terrible your morning is going to be. Instead, think about the great start you will have. Plan to wake up cheerful and thankful for another day.

3 – Begin your day with quiet time. Just 15 minutes to pray, read a devotional, journal, draw, or whatever else quiets your soul. Then you can start your day on your terms, rather than reacting to what’s happening around you.

Think of starting your day greeting others pleasantly, instead of being grumpy and giving others an unpleasant start to their day.

I’ve never really grasped these verses, but they make so much sense to me now.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭59:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Every morning is a fresh start to a new day.

Every single sunrise brings new hope.

We must start our day with a peace and joy that can only come from God.

Then we can spread His love as we go throughout our day.

We must fill our own cup so we can overflow grace and mercy and peace to others.

Have a great morning!