Morning by morning

So, I have been taking collagen in my coffee for over a month and i was so excited because my nails were getting long and strong. I showed off my nails. One of my children thought I should cut them down. (Blows raspberry.) Then, on Tuesday, I started getting rips. Tears. And now, we are back to normal. Short. Boring. Blah. Why do I focus so much time on something so temporary? Good question. You may be asking why i took you on this FASCINATING journey of my nails.

I realize, as I am typing, how much time I dither away thinking of things that just really don’t matter. We all have this, don’t we? Don’t tell me I’m the only one who fixates on something so fleeting. I’m in this time of reevaluating how I spend my time, how I focus my thoughts, how I zero in on what is important.

The Psalmist must have had things that wasted his time as well because Psalm 63 declares his intentions, declares his desires.

“O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You; My soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have gazed upon You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. So will I bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭63‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.63.1-4.AMP

It begins upon waking, doesn’t it? My first thoughts. My first actions. This convicts me. I will seek you. I thirst for you. I have seen you…I’ve seen your power and glory displayed in my life. I have seen your lovingkindness thread through my entire day. So I turn to praise. I turn to bless. I lift up my hands. And so, my day begins with these acknowledgements.

It doesn’t go as well when I pick up my phone first to read my email, check social media, etc. I think of it like talking with someone. If I am speaking with someone who is looking at their phone or their body position is turned another way, I know I do not have their full attention. It’s depressing to continue a conversation. BUT, if there is eye contact, nodding, and repeating back to me, I know this is an engaged conversation.

Same for my heart and soul’s attention in the morning. If I’m quiet and listening (not checking my phone), I pray without distraction. One way I do this is having my phone in downtime overnight into the morning. I know I’d check my phone if i see messages, etc. Here’s how you can do this for yourself: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-screen-time-for-yourself-iphbfa595995/ios

“O satisfy us with Your lovingkindness in the morning [now, before we grow older], That we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭14‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.90.14.AMP

Rather than get discouraged with how often I turn to distraction rather than turning to the Lord, I also ask the Lord to fill my heart with thoughts of him. Just like the boy’s father asked Jesus…

“Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief.””
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/mrk.9.23-24.AMP

Lord, help me in my unbelief. Help me to desire you more than a stupid phone. There is no ‘if you can’. I know you can do this. I know you can replace my desires for instant gratification, rather than the long story you are telling through my life. I know it begins in the morning. Fixing my gate. Focusing my mind.

“Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And all that is [deep] within me, bless His holy name. Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, And do not forget any of His benefits; Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1588/psa.103.1-5.AMP

I like that. Affectionately praise and bless the Lord. I bring him blessing and love when I turn my face to him, and not just the morning, but through the day. Recall, my soul. Remember his benefits through the day. He heals. He redeems. He crowns. He renews me. My response? Affectionately praise him.

Do you have a morning routine that begins with the Lord? How do. you start your day? I’d love to hear your thoughts.