Marvelous Monday: In the morning when I rise....

OK. I have a confession. I am not a morning person AT ALL. I try to spend time in the Word every day but first thing in the morning is not always when it happens. My devotion time is something I have tried not to be legalistic about~trying to preserve that it happens out of  "desire" rather than routine or structure. However, I have greatly noticed a difference in my days when I do try to have it in the morning rather than squeezing it in my day.

I've heard Anne Graham Lotz share many times over the years how she remembers her mom, Ruth Bell's, light being on in her "prayer room" every morning when Anne awoke and every evening when she went to bed. I'll admit it convicts me when I wonder if that's what my children will recall...or my spells of worry matched with my time on the computer/IPhone and the tube.

Awhile back my friend Aundrea, aka Zerbert Baby, sent an email with this link of a blog post that discusses the example of mom's reading their Bible.One of my favorite parts of the post is the encouragement to moms that feel as if they've failed at doing so. It says:

Your example makes a difference--but if you feel like you have failed as an example, take heart. If you have fears for your children's souls, fears that they will not come to be satisfied in Jesus, let your heart take courage. Remember the promises of our Lord:


"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten" (Joel 2:25) and "The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:3-6)

Our own Ashlie has encouraged on designating this time somewhere in the day providing great suggestions here and here.

Wednesday in the Word's Glenda has touched on this several times also. On Wednesday, we are going to be bringing those golden nuggets out of the archives-particularly on the topic of PRAYER (another key component to spending time w/ the Lord).

All of this to say, I have felt the Lord impressing the time "6 AM" on my heart. I've tried to shake it for weeks and it ain't going away. Guess it's time I best listen up! I know this isn't early for many of you but it IS for me. Guess I best be shifting my mindset of it as an "ungodly hour" to godly. My Mother's Day resolution-get my buns outta bed at 6 AM, crack that spine and get on my knees till the house starts a stirrin'. I'm praying for the desire, strength, and AWAKEness. Does anyone feel led in the same direction? By no means, any pressure . It's just always encouraging to hear stories about how the Lord blesses our steps of obedience~big and small.

Have a marvelous Monday!
-Hannah