Awaken!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. " ~Isaiah 60:1

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that more than a week ago, I was having a continual struggle with waking up early each morning. Not only was I awakening too late for a woman with the constant responsibility of a husband and four young children, but it was also WAY too late for one that had the responsibility of spending time with God FIRST and also running a homeschool throughout the greater part of the day.

I knew that my rising each day was not acceptable and felt that it was negatively affecting the way my mood would progress, the way I treated myself and others, and the overall productiveness of the homeschooling day. I longed to arise earlier and sought after God's assistance in the matter. The night of one of my most miserable days, I petitioned the Lord to hear my prayer and to help me out in the matter. This time I was truly serious and desired to change. I was sick of myself!

He INSTANTLY answered me, and woke me up earlier and earlier, each and everyday since. What started off as a 9:00 a.m. wake-up time, progressed to a 5:38 a.m. I have battled no struggle to get up since that day. And honestly, now when I awake, I CANNOT wait to get up and get to my Bible and coffee to start off my day. I love the quiet time to read, to think, to pray, and to even get in a showing of Believer's Voice of Victory on channel 9.

I will not pretend that I feel very awake and vibrant throughout my day...I have not, particularly the last three days (these are the ones that I've been up before 6 a.m.). But I know that this is a work in progress and that my body is simply adjusting to my new schedule. Yes, I took a nap for the past three days around 4:00 p.m. (after school). I am just being patient, however, knowing that I am going from glory to glory each day.

Another challenge that I have experienced over the past few days is that now my baby boy has started to wake up by 6:30 a.m. and slightly interrupt my time. Now the normal Teri would have reacted to this new issue with annoyance and frustration. However, with God's grace I was able to take a deep breath and remember that this is new and I will find ways to work around the kinks. When Joshie crawled in, I got him a bottle, sat him in his seat, and placed him next to me. He eventually settled down or even fell back to sleep. I was still able to have my devotional time; but I tell you what...this new Joshie thing has just encouraged me to get up even earlier to overcome that, and to ensure that my time with God is just me & Him. I cannot express to you how much progress this was for me to meet this challenge in a relaxed, "we can work around this" manner. Praise be to God!

I am further glad to boast that ever since I have been awakening much earlier and getting in that necessary time with God FIRST, I have not had one miserable day, but only marvelous days in succession. It has been refreshing! I guess I should not be surprised because the Bible clearly speaks to us on seeking him first and early.

People, there are benefits in it!:

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.~ Matthew 6:33

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.~ Proverbs 8:17

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You...~Psalm 63:1

She gets up while it is still dark...~Proverbs:15

SOoooooooooo........

" Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”~ Eph. 5:14

~Be Blessed...I WAS!