Tag Archives: Morning

Day 16: Promise

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“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” Luke 1:78-79(NLT)

Day 16: Promise #writetogether31days

There are mornings I just don’t want to get out of bed. You too? I’m at an age where sleep is hard to come by some nights and my body aches in places it never did before making rolling out more difficult, so pulling the covers over my head despite light filtering through the blinds can seem more desirable than getting up. But, I’m also old enough to have learned that no matter the circumstances surrounding me, how I feel, or what I desire, the promise of a new day is a precious gift.

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

It’s not always easy to face those days that come after our darkest nights, but I’ve found that in God’s backward world, it’s in the midst of them that the Light shines most brightly. Being offered the chance to be a blessing to someone else on my “bad days,” often ends up blessing me more! It’s amazing that when I have felt so alone and could barely face climbing out of bed, a song, devotion, or conversation has reminded me that Jesus sacrificially left us so that He could make a Way for us to never be alone. And, more often than not, on those terrible, no good, very bad days when all I want to do is grumble, the wise words of my beloved neighbor come to mind, “count your blessings.” And she was right; gratitude rises above grumbling!

Whether it dawns with challenges, heartache, loneliness, stress, aches and pains, or any of the other things that can lurk in the dark, a new day also always brings to light opportunities for us to bless others, share the Good News, and many reasons to be grateful. Yes, God has taught and continues to teach me that no matter how it dawns or sets, the promise of a new day is always a precious gift!

“Yet I dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:21-23 (NLT)

 

Morning ~ Day 29 ~ 31 Day Writing Challenge

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“The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)

Morning

Morning person? Nope, nada, never…well, that is until recently. While staying a few days at a cottage on the lake I found myself awake early enough that it was still dark outside. I’d flip and flop and remind myself that it was too early for ME to get up, and yet, I wasn’t the least bit sleepy so I gave in and threw off the covers. What I learned was, climbing out of my comfortable and letting go of who I thought I was had its rewards. Each morning I was witness to the rising sun and the beauty it brought with it. 

Someone other than a fisherman? No way! Well, at least until Jesus called them. They were at the lake too but there was no flip-flopping involved when Jesus invited them to follow Him. Without hesitation, the men stepped out of their comfortable, didn’t give a thought to who they thought they were, and allowed Jesus to show them who they could be.

“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. The were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)

And oh yes, while often difficult, leaving the security of what the brothers knew behind had great rewards. They were witness to the risen Son! Jesus has called me to come alongside Him too. I wish I could say that I always react like the disciples leaving my comfort zone without a second thought; but there have been times that have made me want to hide under the covers instead. Think of what I missed. Been there?

Now as I ponder on it, lingering in the pink glow of dawn was a wake-up call I think. A reminder that as 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, God hasn’t given us a fearful Spirit but one full of power, love, and self-discipline. (My, that last one can be hard) We are not to “sleep” our days away in the contentment of being who WE think we are and miss the Son, instead we need to:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”
Ephesians 5:14b-16 (NIV) 5:17 (NLT)

Morning person? Sometimes. Wrapped up in who I think I am? Giving that up and trying to uncover who Jesus sees in me. The reward? Like none other. Walking alongside Jesus morning, noon, and night, being a witness of and witnessing about, the beauty of His eternal Light risen for you and me.