It’s Monday morning. Early morning. There are three kiddos still asleep in their beds (well, one is actually asleep in my bed) and I think I sorta like it this way. These days I’m trying to be a morning person so that I’m up and at ’em, ready for my kids when they wake up.
Trouble is, no amount of working out on my elliptical or long hot showers at 5:45 in the morning can really prepare me. Of course, the opposite is true as well. Monday’s don’t look much better if I sleep in; my kids begin our week running the show with me desperately trying to catch up. What I’ve found out over the last two weeks is this: No matter night owl or early bird, the only thing that keeps me, that holds me together is my time with Jesus. Its true on Monday, and every other day of the week.
So, as I sit here and sip my coffee, a light and cool breeze blowing in from my back deck, I pray. I pray that He will make this, a beautiful Monday, exactly into what He ordained it to be. And that I will be a willing vessel…
Heavenly Father, my Rock, my Help,
I praise you for this day that you have made. I hand it over to you as the rightful owner. Loosen my grip from the day’s events – orchestrate our coming and going as you see fit.
Let my heart be filled with joy and thanksgiving, knowing that every gift comes from your hand. I am a humble recipient of the grace you so freely give.
Help me to teach my children in loving kindness, with wisdom and mercy. Tie my tongue when it is loose with anger or mean-ness. I want to speak with words of truth and grace. Fill my mind with knowledge to share that comes only from You. I am only as creative in my teaching and parenting as You the Grand Creator help me to be. Make my heart a conduit so that Your love flows out, filling them to over flowing.
Give me the desire to do your will, even if it requires sacrifice. Above all else, my heart longs to be whatever You choose for me to be. Sometimes the idea scares me – that I’m not in control of my future, that it might require discomfort- but the reality is : I know that You are good and I can rest in your care, because it is far better than anything I can choose or plan.
There is nothing more empowering than the knowledge that I can do All things by your strength. It fills my heart with confidence and peace. And there doesn’t seem to be a better way to begin this Monday.
It is by the power of your name, I pray this prayer today.
amen. and amen.
from 1John 3:
18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
daily portion 
Oh my goodness! Thank you for this! Your prayer is now my prayer and I am reminded how much I need to set time aside to be prepared for the day.