Not long after I awoke this morning my To Do list began to flood my thoughts. I struggled with pushing them back while I collected my morning tea, my Bible and journal at my happy spot on the deck. I set a timer to allow me to not have to keep checking the time or my list.
Cupping my hot tea in my hands in the cool of the morning I closed my eyes and focused my mind and my heart on the Lord. What came to me was an old chorus I was reminded of yesterday.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever
I will sing, I will sing.
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness.
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations…..
Singing that quietly, the peace that passes all human understanding began to wash over me. Thinking of just a few of the innumerable mercies of God I have experienced in my life was like a warm hug of acceptance….
At the same time my To Do list simultaneously faded and found it’s place… behind my morning time with the Lord. There are many things on the list and several of them time sensitive, but experience told me everything would be ordered well in a few minutes focused worshiping my Maker and listening for His priorities.
The Chorus reminded me that God is good, full of tender mercies and always faithful. My reading for the morning “coincidentally” reminded me of my calling to use my mouth, and writing, to make known these truths.
Honestly, I do not always give God my first and best. Experience has shown me I can get along with that from time to time, but if I do not make those choices to turn the eyes of my heart on my Maker first and often, I begin to fall into patterns of choices that hurt me and if not corrected, others as well.
First thing in the morning is preferable for me, but any time is a good time to take a breath and focus on the tender mercies and faithfulness of God. Through different seasons of my life I have tried all manner of times and ways.
Showing up, anytime, is the most important ingredient.
When my timer went off, I turned to my To Do list. It is amazing how it did not look as daunting as it had a few minutes earlier. I was looking at it from a place of safety and security, knowing Abba has the answers and He is excited to give me the wisdom I need. All I have to do is show up, ask and listen.
