No one had clean pants and temperatures had dropped into the twenties last night. One was upstairs calling my name and the other was hungry, looking for something quick to eat for breakfast. The dogs needed feeding. The dishwasher unloading. And the list went on. Every where I turned, some one needed me. And, all the while I was trying to dress myself for work, make the bed and finish some laundry. Whew. This is no longer my typical day, thank goodness, but, I do remember many years where day after day was just like this. And, on those days my stress level soared!
I would run out the door each morning in somewhat of tailspin with no time for anything other than the morning mad dash of frustrations, raised voices (some of us call this yelling), and fast driving. Our entire family would leave feeling frustrated and defeated most mornings before our day even began.
Just a year or so ago, I started changing just ‘my’ routine. I am not sure I was even cognizant of the change. With increased stress and worry over issues beyond my control, I somehow found my way to this beautiful place of His presence. One that really can’t be explained in words, but I pray you all find. I found it to be true that there can be joy found in the midst of our trials, friends. In His presence there is great joy.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. {Isaiah 54:10 NIV}
Days are just better that begin with HIM. Oh, how I can personally attest to this.
There is no magic formula. There is really no easy way to go about it. It really is a matter of just taking one day at the time to build a new habit that will change your life, and the lives of those around you in a wonderful way. I know many choose to make resolutions for the New Year, and that is a great way to start. But, I also know that just choosing one simple thing and doing it one day at the time worked for me. No year-long plans. Just today. And, the more I experienced His presence, the easier it became to rest there. So, here it goes. These are three simple things that I do now. They came out of a place of complete desperation and brought about a powerful change for my entire family.
Wake up earlier. I now set my alarm and make sure I am awake and alert before everyone else. I once loved to stay in bed until the very last-minute and only jumped up after realizing I was already behind schedule and off task. Being prepared and having some ‘me’ time before our hectic days begin brings me much joy. And, besides, we women all aspire to be more like the woman in Proverbs 31 and it said “she gets up before dawn…” It finally hit me, if I want to be more like her I need to act more like her. Jesus did it as well. Often in scripture it says that he arose early to pray. And, yes, to be like Him is our ultimate goal, right?
{Read Proverbs 31}
Praying before my feet hit the floor, especially praying on the Armor of God. A sweet mentor told of how she prayed on the armor for her boys growing up and what a blessing it was. As I studied this more, and encountered more and more people suffering and hurting, I became more aware of the battle we all face. It really isn’t against flesh and blood, but rather against all the tools the devil uses to avert our attention from the One power that protects us from him. He is subtle, friends. Working in simple, yet profound ways to keep us all from being all who God has planned for us to be. We need to be prepared. I have asked several friends this question lately. If you knew you or your family was in danger and you were entering a physical battle, would you put down your weapon? I don’t think so. I can promise you if someone came after my boys with the intent to harm them, I would be armed and ready for battle! And, yes, we are fighting a battle far more important every day, one for eternity. A battle better fought on our knees.
{Read Ephesians 6:10-18}
And, spending some time in His Word and in prayer. Some days this consists of nothing more than a few passages and other days I read several chapters. Whatever I do though, I know God uses it, blesses it and enjoys it. His primary reason for creating us was for a relationship with us. For us to choose to be in His presence. For us to desire Him over all else. And, yes, for us to trust and know His promises. Adding to my Bible reading some praise time just because of who He is also helps bring me to a place my heart longs to be. At peace.
“Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” {Psalms 106:1 NIV}
Maybe, you like me are tired of the crazy mornings. It is hard to keep it all together friends, and I can promise without asking Him to join my daily journey I don’t know where I might be. Perhaps you are already in a place that feels like there is no return. Please, remember, that is so far from the truth. The enemy would love nothing more than for you to believe that it is too late to change. That your home can’t be one where peace abounds. It just isn’t true. So, what is really true? That peace abounds in His presence.
Trust, me, I am not one to stick to resolutions or to follow a new plan very long. I wish I was. But, I can tell you, if you are already facing feelings of failure in this New Year because you haven’t kept your end of the deal, please remember, you are not a failure. You are a child of the King, and with Him, all things are possible.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” {Matthew 19:26 NIV}
If this crazy-busy, late-sleeping, uncommitted mom can add these things to her mornings, you can, too! These have now become such a vital part of my day that I genuinely miss them when I don’t find the time or my routine changes.
If you are doing some or all of these things already, praise the Lord! If you aren’t, please don’t feel guilty. Just start today with one little thing. You can do it. Not because you have the power, but because He does.
His perfect plan can usher you into the New Year and gently, but oh so completely, fill your life with His presence. That is where we will find peace. Only in Him.
Crazy mornings will come my friends, but trust me, when He is present, the crazy can even become manageable. The storms may come, but His peace calms them. The frustrations may mount, but His abiding faith overrides them. The overwhelming times may multiply, but His power overtakes them.
He really is all we need. And, the only way to have Him is to seek Him. To rest in His presence. To trust in His promises.
“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” {John 14:27 NLT}
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