Every month, I sit down and make out a dinner menu. When I first wanted to do this, I wondered if it would make me feel more restricted in life, or less. The latter has been true. Having that set menu and knowing day to day what I would be preparing for dinner has been a huge relief. Likewise, since the menu is out in plain sight, my kids and husband can see what we will be eating on any given night and it’s led to much more peaceful meal times. While we’ve been transitioning from one state to another, there have been times when it was unreasonable to have a menu, and I’ve noticed during those times I struggle. I end up spending more money at the grocery store from taking multiple trips and am robbed of some of my peace because of needing to plan it out day to day. Now that we are getting more settled here, I have already plotted out all our meals (alongside a grocery list) for the month of September and I feel so much more at ease. (Note: This devo won’t be posted until September, but it’s August while I’m writing this.) I am feeling great comfort and release to get back to the normal.
God brought all of this to my mind a few days ago, and then He said, “This is the same concept as reading your Bible and spending your mornings with me.”
It’s so true! Just like my menu lets me know what to prepare for and to expect on any given day, the Bible and time with Abba will prepare my heart for what to expect every day. I have noticed that if I take time to lean in every day, God will begin to release information about what’s to come, therefore giving me more time to adapt to change and I don’t often feel surprised.
He’s so gracious this way. He left us the Bible and when reading it in partnership with Holy Spirit, it’s so alive. He has also been waking me early, and instead of tossing and turning and attempting to return to my slumber, I just get up and grab my coffee and sit in my office for time alone with Him. I love those moments. After being a mom for so long, I have learned to truly appreciate the morning hours. It’s honestly the only time of day when I have no other demands on me. The sun has not come up yet, and all in the house are still sleeping. It’s our morning date and sets my heart to a more steady place before embracing the day. It’s always worth it to rise even a little early, to set your heart in a right place.
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.
The Lord looks down from Heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. Psalm 14:2
One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4
May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in You. Psalm 25:21
365 Days in the Presence 