mornings

I am a morning person, through and through. I love the feeling of waking up before everyone else, sometimes even before the sun itself is shining. I love making coffee while the house is quiet and watching the sun come up over the horse pastures across the road. I love the idea of being an observer, of being the only thing moving, the only thing with its eyes open.

Biblically, mornings are pretty amazing too. They are a blessing every day.

Every morning is a blessing because:
- I'm awake because God has sustained me! (Psalm 3:5)
- God's mercies are anew every morning (Lamentations 3:23)
- God hears my voice right away (Psalm 5:3)
- God is with me right away and all through the night (Psalm 139)
- God has made this day- I should rejoice! (Psalm 118:24)
- God has given me the choice between good and evil (Deuteronomy 30:15)
- No matter what happened yesterday, joy comes in the morning! (Psalm 30:5)
- Salvation has come to me! (Luke 19:9)
- My God is the same faithful God this morning as he has been for ages past, and he will be the same tomorrow too! (Hebrews 13:8)

I don't think that all of you are morning people. In fact, I know that my singing and cheeriness in the morning has annoyed even the dearest of friends on various mission trips. And that's okay! Just cling to the fact that tomorrow morning when your alarm clock wakes you up at 5 am, it is still a good morning. Even when your alarm clock doesn't wake you up on time, it is still a good morning. When your coffee pot explodes coffee all over you, it is still a good morning. When you cried yourself to sleep and your eyes are puffy, it is still a good morning. When it is raining and when you're mad and when you're stressed out and when you are incredibly happy, it is a good morning. It's a good morning because it's a new morning, a new blessing from God. Every morning is a sign of God's unending mercy.

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 

his mercies never comes to an end; 

they are new every morning; 

great is Your faithfulness."

-Lamentations 3:22-23

Good morning!

hope

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 
   but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."
                  -Proverbs 13:12


My parents always always used to repeat the first part of that verse to me as I grew up (and sometimes they still do). "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, babe." "Don't get your hopes up, Kait." Because when the possibility of something exciting comes up, I immediately start getting hopeful about it (see my entry on patience). Over the years, I have experienced a lot of unnecessary heartache because I got my hopes up too quickly over things that weren't solidified- and even some things that were. 

“Show me, LORD, my life’s end
   and the number of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is. 

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
   the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
   even those who seem secure...

But now, Lord, what do I look for?
   My hope is in you."

      -Psalm 39: 4-5, 7

Friends, hoping in the Lord will never result in a hurt heart. He will never disappoint you or let you down. He will never compromise on his gifts for you or on his plans for your life. Put your hopes in Him and you will never experience dissatisfaction. 

"Israel, put your hope in the LORD, 

   for with the LORD is unfailing love 
   and with him is full redemption."
     -Psalm 130:7


The Lord is full of unfailing love and redemption. He has no limit. He has no end. Don't be afraid to hope in the Lord.