In the morning...

"In the morning, give me Jesus."  Those words are stuck in my head right now. Unfortunately, I can't for the life of me recall any other lyrics from that song. Nor can I hum the tune. So this is pretty much gonna drive me crazy all day until I can lay my ears on that song!

Each evening, I go to bed with the intention of rising just a smidge earlier to devote my time to the Lord. I am filled with the hope of starting my morning reading the Word, or listening to a sermon, or even doing a devotional. Mornings are the best! I tell myself. Because there's nothing better to start your day with.

Sure. Sounds like a wonderful idea. I'm going to set my alarm 15 minutes earlier, set out my materials, and go to bed a wee bit earlier. So basically, I won't really notice the difference in the morning and it will be amazing to wake up early - even before the birds! Good night, world!

Sleep.

Alarm.

Snooze.

Just a few more minutes....

Alarm. Again.

Snooze.

Those of you familiar with the snooze button know that I've now slept about 18 minutes PAST my intended wake up time, which means we are now into the "breakfast and lunch making" phase of the morning. No more time for devotionals, for reading, for writing. But I'm not thinking about that at the moment. I grudgingly drag my body out of the nice, cozy comforter; my feet melding with the cold floor.

What was I thinking, setting my alarm so early? 

The bed is so comfortable!

Oh yeah, I'm supposed to do a Godly thing right now.

But I'm so tired!

Then the guilt starts to set in. I bring my phone into the bathroom with me and attempt to read a 5-minute devotional from one of the 5 that are waiting for me in my inbox. I'm a little bit more inspired for my day, and as I quietly walk from my bathroom, through my bedroom, I glance over at my sleeping husband. He works so hard. I hope I don't wake him. Lord, please keep him safe today. I know you will, so thank you. I'll let him sleep a few more minutes.

I still feel bad that I have failed, yet again. and turn on some worship music as I prepare meals for my three kiddos, who are snuggled up nice and cozy in their own beds.

I can't help it. I sneak a peak at them, graciously paused in their non-stop, ever-moving day. I'm hardly believing that they are...wait, let me think...oh yes, 5, 7, and 11 years old. I thank the Lord for them and pray for their day and that He may guide them in their walks of life. I'll let them sleep a few more minutes. They're growing kids, after all, and they need their rest.

As I prep, cook, chop, pack, I let the music fill me. And though my body is still a bit tired, my soul is fired up for Jesus.

You see, in all this, I realized that it's not all about the Godly appearances of looking like a good Christian girl and doing my devotions every morning. It's not all about listening to a preacher teach me about our Lord and Savior. It's not all about reading every devotion, every day religiously. Because it's not about the religion. It's not about the guilt. It's about the connection.

My mornings are about connecting with God in the few quiet minutes I have. It's about thanking God for this beautiful day that I am alive and healthy once again. It's about thanking God for my amazing husband. It's about thanking God for my three beautiful children, who are SO blessed. It's about praising God through worship and song.

I can assure you that Jesus didn't mind me hitting the snooze button a few times. If He wanted me up, I would have been up - unable to fall back asleep. But like the loving Father He is, I'm thinking the Lord looked down at me and said I'll let her sleep just a few more minutes.

And for that, Lord, I thank You.

(Now let me go find that song!)

A Storm is Brewing - Be Still

There is a stillness as I write this. The gentle trade winds that usually float through the evening air are noticeably missing. It's as if all of life is holding its breath. Waiting. Just Waiting.

Some call it the calm before the storm. Some call it an ominous happenstance. Some hold their breath too.  And wait.

Can you feel it? Something's coming.

The future is synonymous with mystery. No one knows what it holds. No one truly knows the effects of their actions - until it is brought into the present. I'm reminded of the "butterfly effect" so often referred to in movies as common place scientific thought. What I do know is that my actions now affect my future. My decision to act or not to act chooses my next path. My choice to be or not to be affects my future generations. There really is no avoiding it, for the path to the future must go through the present.

So what of this ominous storm that is brewing? Will I let it fester me and bring me to worry? Am I prepared? Do I have food and shelter? What about my family? Will they be all right in the storm? How long will the storm last? Will there be casualties? What will I do?

...OR, will I simply leave it in the hands of the one who creates it. Urging me to trust that all is well. Who is to say that it is a storm coming? Why does stillness bring about uncertainty? and why to we tend to expect the worst in a situation?  For many of us, we can chalk it up to experience. We've felt the stillness before and what followed was chaos and disorder. The storm unleashed. What we forget is that stillness can also bring peace. A chance to pause from our everyday chaos and disorder. A chance to just sit and be.

I challenge you to try something different the next time you feel the world holding its breath, waiting for uncertainty. Don't get caught up in it. Release the breath you're tempted to hold, and continue to breathe at a slower pace. Embrace the stillness, releasing the chaos in your mind. Don't question why it's there, rather be thankful, be joyful, and just be.

Allow yourself to be still. Trust in what's to come.

And all will be well.

Aloha,
Jenn

Here are some verses to help you understand your stillness:

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” - Psalm 46:10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! - Psalm 37:7

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Behold, all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” - Isaiah 41:10-13

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11