"You get up WHEN?" is a question I hear a lot. It's true, I'm up early on school days and pretty early even on the weekends. And while I do go to bed early, I do love to hang out in bed in the mornings as much as the next person. So why get up so early?
I love early morning.
Or maybe I should say, I have come to love early morning. Because I've not always been a morning person.
But having the house all to myself for an hour and a half before the rest of the family gets up is worth getting up early. I come downstairs, flip on the coffee, feed the cat, let the dog out and then in again, turn on the fire, grab that first mug full of coffee, and claim my spot on the couch.
It usually takes me half a cup of coffee, while I sit and stare at the fire, to get going. Then I grab my copy of Venite and pray the morning office. It helps me to have a guide to pray through, because like everyone else, I struggle with a wandering mind that goes off on rabbit trails and ends up who knows where.
As part of the morning office, I go through daily Scripture readings from the Psalms, the Gospels, and the Old and New Testaments. I pray for "those with whom I share the Journey"--my family, friends and family far away, and "those we know who face particular trials and tests this day." I pray the the Lord's Prayer and for "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to go with us all" throughout our day, wherever it may lead us.
I have time in the morning to do my Bible study homework, or to study the Word on my own. I have time to make notes on index cards of thoughts and ideas for whatever book or talk I'm working on at the moment. I have time to write a card to anyone God brought to mind as I prayed, or to send a quick email.
I have time in the morning to check my email, to catch up on reading your blogs, to just sit and be still and listen.
Even though I'm careful with my time and limit my daily commitments, my days go as quickly as the next person's. At the end of the day, it always seems that there's something I didn't get to, something to add to tomorrow's list.
Early morning creates space for those important things that get pushed to the bottom of the list in the face of the urgent.
Early morning starts my day with peace, with quiet, with time alone with God.
Early morning gives me time to pray--to spend time really interceding for others and then to continue to shoot small prayers for them heavenward as thoughts arise throughout the day.
Early morning means watching the sky slowly change as the day dawns. "God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light, And God saw that the light was good. This very day the Lord has acted. May God's name be praised."
Early morning allows me to be calm and not rushed as the girls get up and dressed and ready for school.
Early morning fills me up so I can go through my day ready to give and serve, rather than grasping at others for my needs to be met.
Because early morning is all these things to me, that's why I get up early. An extra hour or so of sleep just can't compare.
And then your children arise from bed and call you blessed... I love it. That is a wonderful place for the bar to be, Joanne. Thank you for pouring yourslef into others. Your discipline inspires me.
Love,
Holly
Posted by: Holly Smith | December 01, 2007 at 12:57 PM
I loved reading your post this morning...I got up early this morning which is rare on a Saturday...made the coffee, took the dog out and in, and then settled into some time with the Lord and finished up the Beth Moore Tabernacle study that I have been going through...incredible study...I was in tears this morning as I continue to see the amazing way that the Lord has put His Word together...it is like buried treasure that we would miss if we did not choose to seek it and find it...
Thank you for sharing your day and please don't forget if you got my email yesterday to check out my blog ( A Work of Heart) for a surprise just for you.
http://helenw13.wordpress.com
Blessings and joy to you,
Helen
Posted by: Helen | December 01, 2007 at 01:02 PM
I totally agree. I'm always up at least an hour and a half before my girls -- and hubby too, when he's home. Without that early morning time, I feel like I'm just in reaction mode all day long rather than being proactive and on top of things.
Posted by: ValleyGirl | December 01, 2007 at 04:52 PM
Yes, early mornings are wonderful! I used to wake up at around 6 for sometime and enjoyed about 3 hours solitude before the rest of the family woke up. It was amazing! I should try it again. All the best to you!
Posted by: Puva | December 01, 2007 at 07:13 PM
joanne,
when did your family start getting to bed so early and was it a hard transition to make (unless you've done it your whole like)? i would really love to be a morning person, but i feel like we get to bed later and later as the years go one...
Posted by: katie | December 01, 2007 at 09:34 PM
I really enjoyed your post. I wake up at 5a.m. just because it is my time to be alone with my Lord. He is all goodness and full of light. My time with my Lord is so precious to me. Thank you for this great post. Blessings, Rose
Posted by: Rose | December 02, 2007 at 01:55 AM
Oh Joanne, you will never know how timely your post is to me!
Thank you for reminding me to be more intentional & purposeful with those early hours. I too, LOVE being up an hour and a half before my husband gets up. I love the mornings. But you have inspired me to do what I used to do. I can't wait to use your helpful tools. Thanks!
Posted by: linda t | December 02, 2007 at 09:57 AM
Oh..I fought early mornings for SOOOO long but now that I am getting older and wiser (hee hee) then I completely understand and love the early morning time....for all those reasons you mentioned! AMEN girlfriend.
Love~
Fran
Posted by: Fran | December 02, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Mmm. Yes, Amen. Good stuff. I too, as many commentors said before me, used to get up early, and have fallen away from it. I haven't returned to it yet since our second baby. I'm stired yet again, as Hannah sleeps through the night better and better, to pull out of the selfish 'But, I don't wanna get up' and fall into the 'Oh, I'm SO glad I got up'. I know it's there just waiting for me.
Thanks for sharing your testimony of the early morning blessings, like a worm waiting for the birds who are hungry! Always a joy to visit your site! :)
Posted by: Amanda | December 02, 2007 at 01:04 PM
The grace of God is so evident in your life through your words. Doesn't surprise me a bit that you go to your God every day for Him to fill you up and He does. Psalm 81:10 - you open your mouth and He speaks.
I worshipped at Chris Tomlin's church recently in Austin and he said he wrote See The Morning CD because Jesus moved so much in the morning. Psalm 5:3 - I'll lay my requests on His lap in the morning. Jesus is always inviting us to breakfast, isn't He? Just love your posts of weighty words for me.
Posted by: Bev Brandon | December 02, 2007 at 03:07 PM
I started getting up 90 minutes before my family a few months ago. I absolutely LOVE that time. The house is dark & quiet, and I meet with my Lord. My mornings & days go so much better. On those days when I'm lazy & sleep in, I can really see a difference. Like you said, sleep is a small sacrifice for these wonderful benefits.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | December 02, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Joanne,
This is so timely for me to read. I told you two months ago that I need to start getting up to pray in the morning. Giving God what I have left at the end of the day is such a sad amount to give to such a great God. I am going upstairs and setting the alarm! I'll keep you posted!
Posted by: Wendy | December 02, 2007 at 08:40 PM
Oh, this just makes so much sense. I'm SUCH a night owl though (and consequently, NOT a morning person). I'd really have to change my ways, and I'm totally, totally open to it. I can't see a single reason why I shouldn't be! On very RARE occasions I have gotten up early and started the day with the Lord, the right way. What... a... difference. I've got more patience with my family, a lighter heart, more focus, more purpose. Thanks for inspiring me, Joanne. I'll start taking baby steps towards this new goal!
Posted by: Angie | December 03, 2007 at 11:08 PM
I too love mornings and even though I am not as disciplined as I strive to be, those mornings when I do get a few quiet moments with the sunrise are such a blessing. It is a sacred thing to witness a sunrise - the birth of a new day. A day planned for us before time began. Like a gift ready to be unwrapped!
Posted by: Deann | December 08, 2007 at 11:46 PM