Oh, What a Beautiful Morning!

I'm singing that Rodgers & Hammerstein song from their "Oklahoma" musical this morning right here from Texas! I’ve been that morning gal most all my life. I own it. When I wake up, I don’t feel the need to pull the blanket over my head and long for just a few more minutes. I don't need an alarm clock -- mine is built-in -- usually, around 5:00 am. My daily schedule hasn't changed that much during this shelter-at-home. I would usually take my walks in the afternoon when it was warmer outsides.

That changed this week. Now, it’s at 6:15 am when I'm out and about with my one-hour walk. I, not being a sunshine-lover on my white-lily-skin, realized I needed to escape to the outdoors before the sun rose! I was blessed to make the change. Being a part of a brand-new day is now my new normal for spring and summer. It seems it’s easier to be an early morning noticer. Yesterday my phone’s playlist wouldn’t play, so I couldn’t listen to my “walking” music. I took out my earbuds and whoa-la – I heard birds chirping in almost every tree I passed. I saw little youngster geese following mama goose on the water. I noticed the beautiful colors of spring in all the plants and flowers that were revealing the exquisite details of our Master Creator.

And, I relished in those morning skies that soon gave way to a brilliant sunrise. I started praising and thanking God out loud. I noticed this baby sidewinder rattle snake – sidewinding his way across the sidewalk. I heard about the sidewinder snake from a friend years ago, but I met one on this day. Indeed, he was maneuvering sideways instead of slithering forward. I didn’t disturb him in case his mom or dad were around. But, I made a quick shout-out to God: “Please keep me moving straight ahead on the narrow path with You!"

God is awesome to give me so many object lessons on a daily basis, but this day I realized that when I’m in my own little world with earbuds on and belting out hallelujahs from a play list – though it’s a sweet opportunity for getting into the groove with God, it’s still a vice that’s not needed. Especially when God has divine set ups for me -- like my noticing -- seeing and hearing straight from His divine creation set-ups. And, oh those skies that welcomed me: "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." (Psalm 19:1)

I think I’m learning and understanding that the “Genesis” story of creation really doesn’t give God’s handiwork the justice it deserves. We have to get out in it to appreciate it. Creation is proof of how God is so very present in all the intricate details of our lives. Jesus spoke of God’s attention to detail when He talked about God’s concern for the lily of the field. He cares about details – the colors everywhere, the rich variety of plant life, wildlife, and the climate. But, oh the crazy chaos that the enemy wishes to use to take our eyes off of God’s creation. He wants us to be inside-minded -- side-winders – void of the treasures God has stored up for us. He wants us to be “it’s all about me”, instead of “it’s all about WE”.

This world is made up of a family of people from all different ethnicities, backgrounds, beliefs and values – all those realities that should unite us and never put us at odds with one another. Seriously, I grapple with this still, devisive country when, if ever there was a time to unite, it is now. God has given us an opportunity to display who we are as HIS people -- all for one and one for all. Made in His image, shouldn't we be the reflection of our sovereign, loving God? We are chips off the “old block” who were born to create and love, too. So let’s create! Let’s love. Let's celebrate that we can see, be, live, laugh, love, reflect, and show our true colors. We too are creators who were born as God’s masterpieces who can display God’s glory and creative genius to a world that needs those colors and example so much!

Pray the Alphabet

My son, a 26.2 mile marathon runner (45 of them now), runs without earbuds which, typically, provides for some distraction during a long endurance run. He is just "in the zone" when he runs. So, he got a kick out of me when I told him that when I go on a long run, I sing songs according to the alphabet which helps make the time go by faster. For example: A - "Amazing Grace"; B - "Because He Lives"; C - "Christ the Lord is Risen Today, Alleluia", etc. He said, "That wouldn't work for me -- because I'd slow down just trying to think of songs!" LOL!

I also use a similar strategy for the nights when I might have difficulty sleeping. I turn my thoughts into a prayer. It really is a great strategy.

In 2 Corinthians 11:27, the Apostle Paul lists “sleepless nights” as one of the trials he underwent. Maybe by that, he meant worry, restlessness or insomnia. Then there's Jesus who was so relaxed that when He and the disciples were on storm-tossed waters, He slept right through the whole turmoil. He even seems a bit annoyed when those boys woke Him up. Why didn’t they trust that He would look out for them, even while He was asleep?

Instead of tossing and turning, I’ve found the best use of time when I have trouble following asleep is praying the alphabet with all the attributes of God. For example: A - amazing, adored, awesome; B - beautiful, beloved, bright morning star; C - Christ, creator, crucified, etc. And now, I'm trying another prayer strategy that I read from an article written by Norman Vincent Peal. The strategy is to pray the alphabet, but pray it for others.

For example, starting with A, pray names of friends, some you know, and some you don't even know, like: A -- Andy, Anna, Allen, Ashley; B - Brenda, Bill, Becky, Brice, etc.

By the way, each of these strategies really works for me because rarely do I get very far into the alphabet before I've fallen into a deep, sweet sleep. And at the same time, I like to think my prayers are making a difference in other people's lives -- whether I know what they're going through or even if I know them, but somehow just maybe God is using my sleeplessness to benefit someone in a crisis and they needed me to call out their name.

Another idea is to pray the alphabet with things you are grateful for. For example: A - apples, ankles, antelopes; B - beans, breath, brain.

Proverbs 3:24 "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

Of course, you can run using your ear buds and you can count sheep at night if you want to, but if you’re up – and I just might be up with you -- let's pray and be thankful!