Seven Things to Tell God Every Morning
That focuses my attention on God right away. Then a Facebook post changed things up. Quite a bit. It’s the one here.
Gosh, I felt good doing just the one, now someone wants me to septuple that? But it struck me: that still won’t take long. I could say that as my drag my body to the office, or just sitting down before I turn the laptop on. And the greater number of things to tell God reminds me of my desire to include God in all dimensions of my life.
Best of all, it works. Yes, I’ve revised it over time, to better express myself. “God, thanks for giving me another day. May I express you in all I say and do, and may I love others like you do me. Help my family to grow closer to you, and may I remember that you’re God and I’m not. I surrender to that.” I do that about 90% of the time as I wake, and often later when I don’t first remember.
One example. In searching for a new car, most car dealers surpass even me in stubbornness, which brings frustration. So, when one dealer wouldn’t meet our price after hours of test drives and discussion, I really wanted to make a snarky comment. But, my prayer committed me to love people as God loves me. With great difficulty I restrained my frustration, and kindly said, “Well, if you change your mind, you have our number.”
We drove the 40 miles back home, and planned on talking to another dealership the next day. But low and behold, about 9 AM the sales manager called, saying he would meet our price. Bingo. Nice on the price, but we also didn’t burn bridges and got our wish. But most importantly, I surrendered to God’s command to love all, I also wrap up each day with prayer. After finishing my reading and kissing Sheila good night, I pull the covers over and summarize the day with God. Some thanks, some confession, some adoration.
Now, it gets a little trickier. I remembered 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray continually.” Another version says “pray without ceasing.” Convicting. How do we do that? First, for the good things, a quick “Thanks” shoots heavenward. When a need arises, it’s “please, but just do what you know is best.” Second, what a privilege to be in constant awareness that the transcendent Creator of the Universe gives me the option of his presence in every moment. Or, we involve our faith in each daily step, because “whatever is not from faith is sin” Romans 14:23.
Isn’t it the essence of cool, to walk with Him?
Kick Starting the Application
How soon in the day do you choose to become aware of God? Would God welcome your awareness sooner?