Sunday, October 9, 2011

first fruits

Oh, man. I am already praying that this post goes out with all of the grace I'm intending. I know how difficult it can be to even commit to something like we're going to talk about today. Just know that, ok?

Today, I'd like to camp on Proverbs 31: 15.
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Have I lost you already?

Let's talk about mornings. Listen. Mornings are hard. They're hard when you've spent the whole day before working for your family and serving others and working for others. I get that.

But I also believe that God's presence is especially sweet in the morning. Here's why:

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Did you know that? That God commands the morning? Because He does. In the very dark of the first moments of each day, He's breathing life into this world. Causing it to work as it always has. Moving the breeze through the trees. Giving the birds their songs. Wafting the sweet scents of all the beautiful blooms He's created.

The idea of rising early doesn't have to be so legalistic when we think about the beauty of meeting with Him first. Even if its just for five minutes. Five minutes with your whole heart counts. Did you hear that? It counts.

The idea of seeking Him as He is setting everything in motion is so lovely to me. And so I do it. It's easier for me because I am an extremely annoying morning person. I'm sorry for that. I have to tell people all the time how sorry I am.

But I don't think it has to be just for us early birds. Sacrificing just a bit of your time in the morning sets your motion heart in the right direction. Within minutes, you'll be off to work or hearing children bound into your quiet space or your checklist items will already be here, right in front of you.

But He sets you right and it's so wonderful to be there with Him first. I'm always more intentional and productive when I've given the Lord the first fruits of my day.

Don't bring performance into this. Let it be small. Let it be sweet. Let it be first.

Are you a morning person? Do you struggle with rising a bit earlier? Share encouragement and struggles if you'd like!

12 comments:

  1. Have you heard of the maximize your mornings challenge? It's exactly what you described! A (huge) group of ladies is working to rise before our children for the next two months. You can find more information here! Loved the post - it was very encouraging!

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  2. I struggle with mornings also! I have been wanting to wake up early and spend my mornings with the Lord for a while but I can never find it in me to do it. I think my trick is going to be going to bed on time the night before. I need to be in bed by at least 10 if I am going to get up at 6 am or earlier. Do you have any morning tricks to get yourself up? That's what my struggle is. Getting out of the bed... It's always so cozy.

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  3. Love this - and it's definitely something that's been on my heart lately. A friend brought me to Psalm 92 where it says "it is good to praise the Lord...proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness by night." Basically, you come to him in the morning acknowledging his love and character and by night, you're able to reflect on his faithfulness that you saw throughout the day. I've been trying to make more of an effort to live by that!

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  4. I majorly struggle with mornings. I'm such a night owl. Thanks for the encouragement!

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  5. @alyss: i think you're on the right track! rising early starts the night before, at least for me. i have to be in bed by 10. my number one nighttime enemy is tv. i get sucked in and then i'm always up later than i want to be. so i save those things to watch on hulu/online when i'm ironing or sewing or folding clothes. i make sure i've got everything ready: Bible, study, running clothes, whatever i might be seeking to do first thing-before i get in bed.

    one other little thing i do is set my alarm clock some random number ahead. it takes me awhile to figure out the real time and so i'm usually awake once i've figured it out :).

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  6. This is such a huge encouragement. I do give my mornings to Him, but I struggle with it. It's not that I don't want to, it is that I am a lazy, lazy morning person. I am that girl who will lay in bed until the very last second and then run around like a mad women. Haha. Seriously though, I feel better when I give my mornings to Him and my day does feel more productive. Great post today. Thank you for your honesty.

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  7. I am feeling so inspired, thank you!!! I, in general, hate morning time. I am sure if I used that time to bring God in, I could learn to enjoy it. Sometimes you just need a little push.

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  8. I am NOT a morning bird. Problem is, I'm not really a night owl either! I have had this craving for the Word lately that I'm putting on the back burner constantly... I think am going to sticky note this verse to my nightstand so that it's the first thing I see each morning. I can start with five minutes, and grow. And let Him grow in me.

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  9. I'm here to encourage!!! I am NOT a morning person, but TREASURE TREASURE TREASURE my mornings with the LORD. My suggestions are 1) go to bed as early as resonably possible. (try to go to bed extra early and you'll get there on time). :) 2)Have the coffee waiting, with cup waiting, with quiet time spot items waiting in your spot. 3)Pray the night before and ask the Lord to wake you up. He will DO IT!

    Do these things for 2 weeks and you'll never go back. You'll be 100% addicted to the amazing Power of the Lord and will be terrified to start a day without Him (in a beautiful way).

    You can do it!!!! My mother would agree, that if God can do it in this night owl's life, He can/will do it in yours!

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  10. I also have never been a morning person and when my kids were still waking up through the night I rationalized that I'd have my quiet time at night because I couldn't rise before them after getting up through the night.
    However, a couple of years ago I had some life circumstances that made me feel like I needed the Lord to start my day in such a desperate way. I started setting my alarm for before they would get up and I still do it today. It has changed my life and I crave this time now.
    My day doesn't feel like it starts right if I don't start with my quiet time.

    If I don't have a lot of time, a friend recommended reading the psalm and proverb that corresponds with the day. So if it's the tenth, read the tenth psalm and the tenth proverb. And if you want, you can go to the 20th psalm, 30th etc. Sometimes I journal what the Lord is showing me for the day. And so often I'm glad I did because I find I need to reference it later.

    Anyway... just wanted to say that I used to fight getting up in the morning too, but since it has become a habit, I miss it if I don't get to do it. Thanks for sharing.

    Oh and Kelly... the same thing will happen to me if for some reason the alarm doesn't go off or the volume is down the Lord will wake me. I think He treasures our time too.

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  11. Oh man, this is a kick in the behind for me. In a good way :) I totally struggle in the mornings. I was just marveling today at home my children go from sleeping soundly to completely awake and full of energy the moment they open their eyes. Praying for more joy as my day begins. Thanks for this!

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  12. Perfect timing for me! I have really been neglecting my devotionals to TOO long and have been telling myself that I really need to get back to them, I need to get back to Him! It is not enough (for me personally) to just wear his word on my sleeve, I need to live his word every day in every way. Thank you for this reminder, and hopefully a jump start to getting myself back on track with our awesome God!

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