Welcoming the Morning

True confession, sometimes I simply do not like the morning.  Why? You may ask.  I may have had a restless night and the thought of beginning another day so early is just not at the top of my list.  Perhaps there is a task or activity to be done in the day that to be quite frank, I do not want to do. Or maybe I do not feel well physically and struggle to even remove my head off the pillow.  Honestly, I simply love laying in the bed.  I could continue with the list, I do not have a problem coming up with reasons to not necessarily enjoy the morning.  A few days ago I read this quote by Baillie on Laura Dawkins blog:

Forbid that when all thy creatures are greeting the morning with songs and shouts of joy, I alone should wear a dull and sullen face.

I have thought about the quote above quite a bit.  I am so quick to allow my temporary feelings to affect me and ultimately lead me to sin.  The Lord is faithful and His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  The entire earth is full of the Lord's creatures (Psalm 104:24) How wonderful are His works!  Yet, how often I allow my present circumstances to distract me from the blessings of the Lord.

I doubt I will ever be fond of the roosters that begin around 5 a.m. every morning.  I don't think my body will ever scream "Yipee I love the sweet sound of my alarm telling me to get out of my warm cozy bed beside my husband whom I love." However, just because this situation does not feel good to me does not give me an excuse to be short with Trey, lazy in my morning hours with my Savior, or idle with my time in the remainder of the day time hours. 

Psalm 20:12-14, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  Return, O Lord! How long?  Have pity on your servants!  Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may REJOICE and be GLAD all our days."

It is crucial for me to take my thoughts captive and turn to praise in the morning hours when I know I am the most vulnerable.  I find it so beneficial as I lay in bed in the morning after the alarm sounds to immediately begin to whisper prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord for His faithfulness through the night.  Psalm 121:3,"...He who keeps you will not slumber."  I am thankful that I can rest peacefully all day and night because my Lord never slumbers.  I also find it helpful to hit play on my praise music ASAP to ensure that my thoughts stay directed toward the Lord as the feelings of the morning increase :)  For all you "Morning People" out there, I admire you!  Although I am not by nature a "Morning Person" I am thankful for my Savior who has made me a new creation so I too can praise Him in the morning!