First Things

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." (Ps. 113) It’s clear the psalmist never had to deal with daylight savings time. 

Springing forward an hour is painful for the bus rider in our home. Actually, her spring break began the day after the reset, so she escaped the rude reality of it all. Still, there’s not much praising of the Lord going on when waking up. Personally, I love the single digit hours of the morning, but I’m told I’m just weird. The rest of the household doesn’t practice Christianity before 10 am, let the reader understand. ;)

My best opportunity for a quiet heart is found before sunrise, yet it’s up to me rise up and go after it. I relate with the psalmist saying, “My heart says, ‘seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8) When I do this intentionally, I find my best self, and I need my best when rousing sleepers.

This day started well. I awoke in quiet, spent time in quiet, and remained quieted, even when “Morning Makayla” put me to the test. I’ve found that the best mornings begin the night before.   

I feel good when clothes are selected and laid out on the bedroom floor. Hair brush, deodorant, and medicines are lined up on the kitchen counter. Cereal, spoon, and bowl are waiting on the table, and a pre-made lunch is in the fridge.

These perfectly placed steps move things easily and smoothly. We call them “first things” because, if done first, they lead to peaceful morning experiences; but Makayla’s movements usually run counter to mine.

At 6:30 am I turn on soft lights, gently singing “This is the day, this is the day…” I rub her back to further awake her. Pretty nice, huh? Makayla pretends to still be asleep. 

I gingerly pull off one of her five blankets and place them on the floor, one by one. Once the bed is emptied of all but her, she grunts and announces, “I’m not going to school.” 
 

“Be still, my soul,” I remind myself.

Be still, my soul

The next trip to the room finds her hiding under the blankets on the floor, no closer to being dressed than she was 20 minutes before.  

“First things, Makayla, first things.” I say. She knows the drill but is easily distracted. 

Slowly “first things” all get done, never as quickly or as easily as they could have. Still munching on cereal, and thinking about the Bible story I read to her as she spooned it in, she bolts out the door and up the driveway, jumping on the yellow bus just in time.

This is my weekday routine. Mind you, I said “my” routine. I created “first things” for Makayla, but the routine was for me. Making sure “first things are in first place” helps guard the quiet that I need. If I’m at peace, she is, too, and that makes all the difference.

To date, only a handful of mornings have “first things” been initiated without my prodding, but that’s the way of this child.

It’s the quiet heart from the early hours that I’m seeking to preserve. Keeping it is never guaranteed, but processes like “first things” make it easier to stay mindful of higher things. 

If I’m vigilant, and just a little bit lucky. I sink back into my soft chair as the bus pulls away, and practice quieting my heart again. Sometimes I stare long out the window of the breaking day, other times I glide over words on the page. All is well.

Elizabeth Elliot’s book, Keep a Quiet Heart, captures better the restful moments with God that we all so desperately need. 

"A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough."  I prefer “first things” to be “quiet things”— how about you?

Prophetic Prayer & Communion
The next PPC is on Sunday, April 11th, 7-9pm at Northstar. Childcare won't be provided this time.

Speaking at Northstar
Rus will be sharing at Northstar's services on Sunday, April 18th. You can watch online at golovelive.com, or join us in person!

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