Sacrificing the Snooze

I’ve walked with Jesus long enough to know that choosing Him means He is always present. Even when I hit the snooze button, pray a minute and fall back asleep. On my walk with Him thus far, I have also learned that I will always need Him. Especially, when my alarm goes off and I have never been as cozy in my bed as I am in that moment. And by the way, why is it that the sweet spot in your bed is nonexistent on the weekends?

I’m not much of a morning person. Over the last couple of years, I have really tried to overcome this aversion. For those of you that know me well, and are shaking your heads, remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint, people. I love the the idea of getting up early and rising early is not the issue. I just haven’t mastered the art being able to “people” for at least an hour post waking. I need a shower, a cup of coffee, and at least 30 minutes with Jesus before I can fully function. So, this means I gotta get out of bed. However, the purpose, for me at least, of getting up earlier than required isn’t so I can interact with people. The reason my soul longs for early mornings is because that it is a time of day when I can devote my attention completely to the Lord. I can sit in the quiet, watch the sun rise, read my Bible and pray. Most importantly, I can listen. I don’t even generally attempt to venture out of the bed before I have talked to God a few minutes. Honestly, jumping up and rushing into my day never ever goes well. I need a clear sense of direction. I need to communicate with my Creator. And yes, I pray at various times throughout the day. For me, praying is like breathing or eating. But I have discovered that the morning is sacred. If you haven’t ever met with Jesus early in the morning, I encourage you to give it a try. It changes the course of your morning, it changes the course of your entire day.

For many years in my late twenties and early thirties I felt a pressing on my heart to get up early and meet with the Lord. I won’t say I ignored it, because I acknowledged it. I just quenched it with excuses. Mostly, “I’m not a morning person.” and “I spend time with the Lord, it doesn’t have to be first thing in the morning.” And so, it saddens me to admit but I missed so many opportunities to make God the first priority of my day. And still now sometimes, I choose my flesh and I hit that snooze button (multiple times, is there a support group for this problem?). And let me tell you, those days don’t get off to the best start and I miss out on sitting quietly with the Savior of my soul.

So, if you continually find yourself stressed out in the morning, sacrifice a little sleep to sit with the Savior. Sacrifice the snooze button. Tell Him that you woke early just to be with Him. Tell Him about the busy day you have ahead, ask Him to go ahead of you. Tell Him about how tired you are and ask Him for an anointing of energy for the day. Pray over your children, pray over your spouse, pray over your co-workers. Just pray.

But first, just thank Him for waking you up. Thank Him that His mercies are new every morning. He woke you up. If you can’t think of anything else to talk to Him about, just thank Him that He woke you up and ask Him what you can do to glorify Him as the day unfolds. Then, just sit at His feet and listen. I promise you the peace and comfort this brings cannot compare to the short-lived coziness the snooze button brings.

I hope you have a great evening and set your clock just a little early for tomorrow morning. Even if you hit the snooze button, talk to Jesus, and fall back asleep, you’re making progress…baby steps. Let me know how your day goes.

Love in Christ,

Cassie