There’s a part of my day that’s by far my favorite part. It’s a cozy pocket of comfort, hope, peace, and sanity. It’s a part of the day that undoubtedly affects the rest of my day.
I’m up around 4:00 in the morning each day. Before my wife wakes up, before the sun fully wakes up, even before all of the wild songbirds announce that they’re up. I use the bathroom, drink a glass of water and get the coffee pot dripping. Whether it’s autumn, winter, spring or summer, by 4:30a.m. I’m on the couch and ready for this favorite part of my day.
Some days, it’s a bit more meditative or reflective; on others it’s more reading, whispering with soft hymns being played on piano in the background. I often use the audio Bible, other times I just talk to God as you would the best of friends. That’s what He’s always desired to be to us.
A much-needed talk about the burdens, cares, concerns, and heaviness that I may be feeling. We talk about life, family, marriage, and the many cares of this world. He often uses the Bible to speak back. Something I needed to read and hear will leap off of the page and right into my heart. It brings peace, safety, and security to begin a new day with new challenges ahead. It can end up being a revelation, direction, or way of looking at a current situation that I hadn’t yet thought of.
Yes, God does speak if we’re willing to listen. This part of my day feels like a refuge.
Sure, there are times I end up missing or skipping my favorite part of the day; times I’m out at night later than usual and end up sleeping in; times I’m not feeling well, and my immune system is asking for that extra sleep to strengthen itself. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. While there’s no condemnation involved in missing my favorite part of the day, I do look forward to it all the more on the following one.
In a world where we are bombarded with electronics, noise, opinions, and busyness, I personally couldn’t imagine not having that first hour of prayer and solitude before I face head-on a world that seems to be growing colder and more indifferent by the day. That first hour or prayer, my favorite part of my day, is what God uses to keep my engine well-oiled and ready to go with grace. Who better to spend my favorite part of my day with than conversing with the One who holds it all together?
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: ‘Everyone is looking for you!’” – Mark 1:35-37mn, winter, spring or summer, by 430a.m. I’m on the couch and ready for this favorite part of my day.
Some days it’s a bit more meditative or reflective; on other’s it’s more reading, whispering with soft hymns being played on piano in the background. I often use the audio Bible, other times I just talk to God as you would the best of friends. That’s what He’s always desired to be to us.
A much needed talk about the burdens, cares, concerns, and heaviness that I may be feeling. We talk about life, family, marriage, and the many cares of this world. He often uses the Bible to speak back. Something I needed to read and hear will leap off of the page and right into my heart. It brings a peace, safety and security to begin a new day with new challenges ahead. It can end up being a revelation , direction or way of looking at a current situation that I hadn’t yet thought of. Yes, God does speak if we’re willing to listen. This part of my day feels like a refuge.
Sure, there are times I end up missing or skipping my favorite part of the day; times I’m out at night later than usual and end up sleeping in; times I’m not feeling well and my immune system is asking for that extra sleep to strengthen itself. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. While there’s no condemnation involved on missing my favorite part of the day. I do look forward to it all the more on the following one.
In a world where we are bombarded with electronics, noise, opinions, and busyness, I personally couldn’t imagine not having that first hour of prayer and solitude before I face head-on a world that seems to be growing more cold and indifferent by the day. That first hour or prayer, my favorite part of my day, is what God uses to keep my engine well oiled and ready to go with grace. Who better to spend my favorite part of my day with than conversing with the One who holds it all together?
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” – Mark 1:35-37
