The Right Start

I'm not really good in the morning, as anyone who knows me can testify to.  I'm grumpy, groggy, and in a bit of a fog.  Sentences and words, clear thinking....none of it is my strong suit before my first cup of coffee!  All that aside, I can still start the day well with Jesus.  I can still set my mind in the right direction.

I used to wake up, and as sure as the alarm clock, the "to do" list would start ringing through my head.  A sure fire way to add to the confusion and grumpiness I already felt.  For the last few months or so, I've been waking up and after I say "good morning" to the Lord, I quote Scripture, specifically Psalm 118:24  This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.  Of course I change the "we" to "I."  I sensed the Lord impressing the practice on me some time ago and it has become a habit.  A good habit!!  I need a few more of those please!

Today, I was looking for a note I thought I had taken during Sunday's sermon....and I could find the note, but not the reference, I was planning on sharing it here....but the Lord had another plan, as He sometimes does.  Last week I shared with you how sometimes God points over our shoulders to a specific Scripture we come across as we study and read the Bible with Him.  Today He did the same with my notes....pointed out something I had written months ago as what He wanted to say today, to me and to you guys....a good morning God visit for us all!  A reminder on starting the day in the right frame of mind!

We went to see Joel Osteen back in March and something he said  about how to give a right start to the day hit home in my heart .  So often we wake up feeling overwhelmed as thoughts of piles of chores, and stacks of problems flood our minds.   We see only the confusing maze of worries, obstacles, and difficulties, fearing we will never find our way through.    We forget that we face none of this alone. We neglect to grab the hand of our Savior before our feet hit the floor, and we try to walk through that maze of daily living alone.  Of course we are overwhelmed, depressed, or at our wits end!   I've done it a thousand times myself.  Who wants to even get out of bed with that kind of mindset!  Ugh, turn off the alarm, turn over and pull the covers over out heads!!!

Back to the good stuff Joel said....He explained how we are not to start the day in neutral.  That is, don't just wake up and sit there empty, waiting to be filled by whatever thoughts drop into our head. The enemy (Satan) loves nothing better than to fill vacant spaces with negativity, helping you to rehash your problems and worries before you even get out of bed....put a dark cloud over the whole day right then and there!  Instead, Joel explained, we are to  decidedly point our faith in the right direction (upward to our loving heavenly Father), start with a grateful attitude and put on our garment of praise.  How hard is it to say in the morning...."Thank You Lord for being with me this day, I believe You have it handled, whatever comes.  You are good and loving, and I praise You."  Honestly, it takes all of a few seconds and it at least gets us started in a positive direction.  It takes only a small decision on our part to turn the course of our minds.  Harder of course, is keeping it turned throughout the day...but I want to at least start off good!  LOL

What a great reminder for me, hopefully for you too today.  A great "good morning God visit!"

Lord, help us to start each day with our minds on You.  On Your goodness, Your care, and Your love. Lord, help us to make the decision to believe upward!  Lord, maybe we will struggle through the day, but we are not alone.  And You have good plans for each of us.  Help us to grab hold of Your hand this morning and follow You through our day.  Set of minds on You.

Make a habit of starting the day with praise, gratitude and faith.

Isaiah 61:3  To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”