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But as for me, I shall sing of Thy strength;

Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Thy lovingkindness in the morning

Psalm 59:16



Good morning dear sister!

Are you one of those people that arise singing joyfully in the morning? Me neither. I like to sleep and I love my waterbed. I make it every morning (once my Beloved is out of it, of course), giving it a final pat and already anticipating when I shall flop into its comfort after a long, busy day.

Even though I rise early, usually with a long to-do list in my head, I have been learning to wake up with a thankful heart; grateful that the Lord kept breath in my body and will strengthen me for the day! I’ve always been a morning person (married to a night owl, of course!), but I’m usually a quiet morning person. (The Bible has something to say about waking your neighbors with a loud song. ~Proverbs 27:14). For me, beginning my day with a quiet time with the Lord just sets my feet upon the path that He has for me. Seeking Him first, He orders my steps in that to-do list. I save my singing for a little later in the day, especially when I see some of the fruit of His Holy Spirit in my day!

I find that leaning on Him to order my day gives me the strength I need to accomplish what needs to be done. I’m also finding that I’m harder on myself than my Heavenly Father is! He equips me to do His will. Usually we don’t have the same agendas, so I am learning to listen and go when He says “go” and rest when He says “rest”. (Do you know how hard it is to stop when you’re a list maker and crosser-offer? I love to cross things off my list!!) However, God’s work is eternal, my work is temporary. That’s sobering.

What if you’re not a morning person? The Lord is with you too! Psalm 63:6-8 says “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

It’s a little difficult for me to imagine someone going on the same strength God gives me for the day for the night owl who is energized as the sun starts to set. But praise God for night owls! I’ve tried to think of spiritual things as I lay on my wonderful waterbed. Instead of counting sheep, I would pray a prayer list, but then I would feel guilty for falling asleep on the people I was praying for! (usually the second or third one in)

God has made me to be a morning person and He’s made you just the way He wants you to be too! Both verses speak of leaning on God’s strength and singing Him songs of praise. It seems that maybe He wants us to be in the way that He’s fashioned us to be, right? In fact, it seems that the person who is awake through the watches of the night has an opportunity for a richer, more intimate relationship with the Lord. Perhaps more of a “Mary” experience than a “Martha”. (Remember them?) I’m not sure, perhaps some of you night owls out there can teach me.

I referenced a passage earlier about the Lord ordering our steps. It’s found in Psalm 37:23: “The steps of a good (wo)man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in her way!” Notice, dear sister, what is capitalized in that verse! Who delights in whose way?? The Lord delights in your way when you are walking in His will! I imagine how I delight in my children’s way when I see them walking a good path. How much more does our heavenly Father delight in our way when we are obedient to His good will for us? That is when we sing of His strength, of His lovingkindness upholding us! 

Oh, sister, God is so good! It doesn’t matter if we’re early-birds, night owls or somewhere in between, God never slumbers or sleeps! He will guide you into all the goodness He has for you when you seek Him, whether it’s early in the morning, the middle of the night or a quiet time anytime. He is always ready to answer you when you call upon Him. Hallelujah!

So don’t beat yourself up if you fall asleep while praying or are too intent on that everpresent to-do list, but rather repent and intentionally set aside a time given only to the Lord! He will bless you abundantly and delight in your ways!

Take a few minutes with the Lord, and be blessed!

As ever, with love, your sister, Celeste