...There was something missing though. I wanted to start my day with time to listen for the Lord's voice. The question for me was- when? How could I possible pack one more thing in? My Bible usually made its appearance at the breakfast table among my kids stick pancakes or bowls of cereal.
Then, I started setting my alarm earlier... I don't use that blaring BEEP BEEP BEEP but rather the low setting on my phone or the Christian radio station turned down as low as possible.
I get my shower first, and then something miraculous happens. I get to sit down and pray and read
. THEN something even more miraculous happened. My husband decided to join me (not that he doesn't pray- he just doesn't do mornings). I usually let him know when I'm done with my shower, and he gets up in plenty of time to get ready for work and still sit down and pray with me.
Every morning when we write the list of prayer requests in my journal, I'm so happy to be spending time with my husband before the Lord. I can't say it was my idea- our Pastor has been encouraging us for months now to spend time praying together. The kids still get up during our prayer time, but they now know it's prayer time. They drink their milk and Ana even holds our hands as we pray. It's just how I want our kids to see us.
... and it's just how I love to start my day. When the breakfast rush starts and hair needs brushed, there's the peace in my heart knowing that I've already met with the Lord.
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. ~Psalm 143:8
How do you you spend your morning? How do you wish you spent your morning?
Lovely. Our pastor focused on the getting up early and seeking the Lord recently too. It's one of the things I love about my current season, and know I will need to guard in future seasons. Blessings to you, friend, as you seek Him.
ReplyDeletegetting up before my kids is essential for my peace of mind :) i usually get up and have some quiet time while i make their breakfast and it has really centered me.
ReplyDeleteI never realized how important it was to be up for a while by myself...
DeleteIts tough becki but I think it is necessary to wake up early. I would much rather pray at night.
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I don't mind praying at night, and I used to do that, but now that I have kids, I feel like my brain is all garbled by then. I think I'm just naturally more awake in the morning, but lots of people aren't! LOL
DeleteBlessings Becki... Thank you for passing by my blog and allowing me this opportunity to get to know you! And this was a timely reflection for me.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have the privilege of spending my early morning, my late mornings, my evenings, my afternoons, anytime with the Lord. I no longer have the responsibilities of being a mom or a teacher and having to arrange my day around others. Somehow, computers have taken over my mornings... YouVersion Bible reading plan, Blogs, Books, etc. but for this year of 2012, God has removed me from my free access of the "joy of communicating via the internet" by my laptop crashing so I now have to make the effort to go to a public cyber and quickly catch my emails, blog comments, Google Reader (to check on blog friend's posts)... etc. etc. just not enough time besides keeping up with my own blogs. But when I saw this new blogger leave her mark on my regular blog, I just had to take the time to come and get acquainted. I did not use to be a morning person but now I'm glad I start my day with Him, late nights were more my comfort or available time in the past.
The BEST part of this post you wrote for me is how your husband joined you and your kids now know this as a special prayer time and the precious part of your little one grabbing your hands to pray! Priceless! and I love your journal... :0)
I spend my morning time, letting out 4 dogs, cleaning up outside, then sitting down to read God's Word, with worship music and the hustle and bustle of Mexico's daily noises in the background, lifting up my family, friends and this city to God for His divine guidance, protection and move of His Spirit. How will He use me today? (which is also how I WISH to spend it) being open to hear what He tells me for today!
Thank you for your inspiration and visit! Not sure how you stumbled upon my blog but I'm glad that you did. When or IF I get my laptop working again, I hope we can pass by each other's blogs often.
Peggy
Thank you for visiting me! I stumbled across your blog I think on a google search for Christian blogs. I really appreciate you stopping by even with your precious few moments of computer time! Your days spent with the Lord sound amazing, and I pray that someday I will have more, but for now I'm just loving being with my girls!
DeleteBTW- My parents used to have four dogs! Two of them have since passed away, but oh my- four really is a handful!
Thanks Becki... being with your girls and that special time with your husband is a BIG part of relating with God and spending time with Him, it's all in how you spend it and reflect Him.
DeleteSorry about the 2 dogs that have passed away, my big one passed away last year (13 yo)... but you're right, quite the handful (especially at heat time or tick time - bathing, feeding, etc) kinda like being a mom again... I delivered the 6 pups of my dog and the stray he got pregnant... just being responsible - lol, so they are family. Bless you and enjoy every moment with YOURS!
Love in Christ,
Peggy
Peggy,
DeleteWe do have a lot in common. Our dogs were a little family too. We had Jinx and Fallon (who was her pup), and then someone gave me Rose, and she and Fallon had Toe as their pup (along with three litters which we sold the rest of.) The males are still left. My husband and I have our own dog too- it's a dog from the shelter that we adopted. Dogs really are great! Have a really blessed day!
Becki
Very convicting, my friend. I have been laxed with my time with the Lord this summer. And it's just so much harder to get those moments in if ya don't do it first thing.
ReplyDeleteI totally laughed aloud when you talked about how you have to set your alarm as low as possible, hahaha...so true. I have to be so sneaky quiet when I get up in the a.m. if I want to be ALONE!
Don't laugh too loud, you might wake your kids up! Ha! My kids get up soooo early, so I'm usually still holding the baby during my "alone time" with the Lord. I do somehow manage a shower most mornings before they wake up, but the Bible time usually gets interrupted.
DeleteIt's so important to spend time with the Lord, but it's REALLY hard with a newborn. Don't be too hard on yourself. Someone told me to get a Scripture for the week to meditate on and pray about when you can't seem to fit in the alone time. That advise got me through for a while...
Yeah, I kinda don't even count Caleb as an interruption--they're more like another appendage when they're this tiny! The bigger boys are the ones who are my morning stalkers. Sheesh oh man, talk about light sleepers, both of them. But yes, there are seasons for everything, and you just gotta roll with it, and make adjustments when it's necessary.
DeleteI think sometimes it's the combination of the two. I can't nurse and serve breakfast at the same time! It's better if breakfast is already served prior to nursing! THEN I can take my time and read and pray.
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ReplyDeleteMy mornings are definitely the least organised parts of my day. I am so not a morning person. I really need to work on this in the new year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity
Thanks for hosting! I am a morning person, and I get so much done if I get up early enough. Plus my whole day feels better if I get some time to myself.
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