Joy at 6 A.M. Exists...Who Knew?

Let me first start off by telling you that I AM NOT A MORNING PERSON, nor have I ever been a morning person, but from now on I plan to be a morning person. Sleep is a major priority on my to-do list every day. By 9:00 at night, I start pestering Tim about going to bed. Because if you really know me, you know that I'm not always the most pleasant person to be around if I'm running on less than eight hours of sleep. (I can hear my mom right now thinking, Pleasant? Try scary!) 

Since I made the decision to walk with God five years ago, I've felt convicted to start my day with prayer and in the Word. But I never committed myself. Then, one of our pastors told a  story about a new Christian with a heart-on-fire-for-God, desiring to learn about his new faith, but when his mentor told him they'd begin meeting at 6 A.M., he refused. 6 A.M.? That's TOO early. Another one of those "ah-ha" moments for me. I was that man refusing to make God my priority in the morning because I favored my slumber. I even expressed to others the importance of starting the day with The Lord; yet, I STILL wasn't doing it. However, before Christmas, I decided to take the plunge and begin my day with prayer, following a sermon about how easy it is to start something, but how difficult it is to follow through and finish. I was determined to start a routine of morning prayer...which lasted two days. 

The new year inspired me to try once again. This time I'm 11 days strong! If I pray before my feet hit the ground, honestly, I'l fall asleep mid-prayer. So, I get up at 5:30 when Tim wakes for work, feed our pups, warm Adeline some milk, and make a cup of steaming green tea. After that, I begin my prayer time. I highly recommend The Pray! Prayer Journal, which guides me in praying both for myself and others. Next, I open the computer to read my daily devotional by Billy Graham that waits in my email. By that time, I feel rejuveinated and in the right state of mind to serve God for the day. And a bonus, I'm even eager to begin the morning with out little sunshine, whereas before it was more like, "uuuuggghhh, she's awake...." 

Now, your prayer and devotional time certainly doesn't have to be in the morning, but try and add a special time just for you and God. If you're a new mama, I compleeeeeetely understand this may not be possible, as you live in two hour increments and are utterly sleep deprived. It took me 13 months post-baby to get here. If you already do have a special devotional time each day, please share what works for you! I would love to hear your tips!

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