Morning Mercies

I am not a morning person, but there is something I have learned.

When I wake up early life goes better.

I have time to spend with God before the pressures of the day squeeze me.

I actually get to exercise and physically feel good.

I even get time to write before I get pulled a million directions.

And still I. Do. Not. Get. Up.

I have great excuses…

I haven’t had enough sleep.

I am not feeling well.

I really don’t have anything I HAVE to do that early.

And the truth is God wants me up in the morning and I am in rebellion.

It is the same type of rebellion that keeps my kids from obeying me and keeps children from obeying teachers.

And I have the same rebellious streak in me.

I need to die to myself so I can truly live. Live a life worth living, one that blesses my family, my friends, glorifies God, and satisfies my soul.

And still I listen to my flesh. My flesh that says it is too hard to wake up, it is too hard to write, it is too hard to teach my kids, it is too hard to keep up with housework, and to do well on my school work.

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not perfect and my works will not perfect me and I am not naturally organized…

BUT

I have to make choices to do the work to reach the goal. If I don’t try I fail. If I try and don’t make it at least I tried.

AND so every morning I set my alarm for early. I may not wake up…I may hit snooze…And still I may really get up and get things done. I may fight against the rebellious lying flesh of mine and win a victory…But only with God’s help. Only in the power of the Spirit. Only in grace…

And it is grace and mercy that is new every morning…

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Enough grace and mercy to forgive me. Enough grace and mercy to give me power to fight the lies.

Are you a morning person? How do you keep your routine going? In what ways do you experience God’s mercy and compassion every morning?