Welcome the Morning
But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16 (ESV)
ME: I am such a morning person! I love to meet You early in the morning before the business of the day rushes in. This morning, before the sun peeked above the horizon, I heard birds outside my writing-room window. It was still dark, but they insisted on being heard. It filled my heart with praise and great joy.
JESUS: Thank you for noticing. For by Me all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Me and for Me (Colossians 1:16, ESV).
ME: Wait, are You saying You didn’t create this beautiful nature for me? I don’t get it.
JESUS: Do I live in you? Do you live in Me?
ME: Of course. Yes, and yes.
JESUS: Then you reap these benefits. You are My beloved child. I withhold nothing from you.
ME: My quiet time in the morning with You is my most productive part of the day. I come to You and speak freely; thanking You for all Your blessings. I tell you about my concerns (or write about them), pray for family, friends, and all the situations in the world. I am assured that You hear me. My day begins under Your watchful, loving eye. I find peace.
JESUS: This I have told you: … with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16, ESV). I am delighted that you start your day with Me and are assured that I hear you and answer your prayers. Sometimes My answer is yes, other times—no, or wait. I do answer one way or another. I am teaching you patience and endurance.
ME: Oh, it’s just like the birds I heard before the first light of dawn. They were sure Michael would feed them--sometime. They don’t worry about much, do they?
JESUS: No, My child. Like you, they begin the song I gave them early in the day.
ME: Thank You for this time together. Maybe we should spend more moments like this.
JESUS: I am always here. You decide when.