I have entered a new phase of life. This week, my 10 year old son has started attending a charter school. I have homeschooled him up to this point, so it is a completely new experience for both of us. He is really enjoying it, and I would like to say that the hardest adjustment has been the homework, but no, for me it is getting up at 6:00 am to make sure he gets to the bus on time. I don't know about you, but I am NOT a morning person. I don't even understand the phrase "morning person." How can that even be a thing? I don't understand why anyone would want to get up this early. My bed is way to comfy to want to leave it! This week has been a struggle. The one good thing is that I am able to spend some quiet time with God after I drop my son off at the bus stop. I can come home and enjoy a peaceful moment with God, while everyone else is still asleep and there is nothing to distract me (except my own yawning).
In my quiet time this morning I came across this verse:
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:16-17
As I said, I am not a morning person, so singing is not something I want to do or hear at 6:00 am, but in my heart I can still be joyful and praise God. Joy is different from happiness. I am not happy to be awake, I don't feel like smiling and singing. Joy is a calm delight, a peaceful spirit, a certainty that God is in control and He's got me in His hands. No matter what may be going on in my life, He is still God and He is much bigger and stronger. He is my refuge and safety.
If I can start everyday in that way, it shifts the perspective for the entire day from me and my problems and what I need to do, and places it on God and who He is and what He can accomplish in and through me. He is the leader, I am the follower. He is the potter, I am the clay. I don't need to worry or stress, just praise. If I have a day when I feel unloved by the world and the people in it and I can be confident in God's unfailing love. My identity, security, and purpose are planted firmly in Him. So, despite the early morning- It is well with my soul.
In my quiet time this morning I came across this verse:
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. Psalm 59:16-17
As I said, I am not a morning person, so singing is not something I want to do or hear at 6:00 am, but in my heart I can still be joyful and praise God. Joy is different from happiness. I am not happy to be awake, I don't feel like smiling and singing. Joy is a calm delight, a peaceful spirit, a certainty that God is in control and He's got me in His hands. No matter what may be going on in my life, He is still God and He is much bigger and stronger. He is my refuge and safety.
If I can start everyday in that way, it shifts the perspective for the entire day from me and my problems and what I need to do, and places it on God and who He is and what He can accomplish in and through me. He is the leader, I am the follower. He is the potter, I am the clay. I don't need to worry or stress, just praise. If I have a day when I feel unloved by the world and the people in it and I can be confident in God's unfailing love. My identity, security, and purpose are planted firmly in Him. So, despite the early morning- It is well with my soul.