It started raining about bedtime (that'd be about 8:40!) last night and rained all night, so I woke up to a lovely, gray, rainy day--something that just puts me in a good mood.
Which is good. Because yesterday morning I must have turned the alarm completely off instead of just stopping the CD (I wake up to those Benedictine monks doing "Chant" every morning). And that means no alarm this morning.
Of course, I was awake at about 3 and again at 4:47. But totally in the middle of a dream at 5:15 when I should have been getting out of bed. And still in the same dream (which was a totally weird dream) at 5:48 when I finally did wake up for no apparent reason.
For once, Joey was not pouncing on my head to wake me up and I think I could have slept on and on and on. Mmm...I love a good night's sleep--especially when the weather has changed and it's so nice and cool and the perfect temperature to snuggle down under the covers.
Anyway, I'm so glad God woke me up. Because even though I have the house all to myself at the moment (Toben drove the girls to school and then has a meeting there for a while this morning), I really need my quiet time first thing in the morning. Before anyone else is up.
Even though I could have had all this quiet house to myself right now to do my quiet time, I know without a shadow of a doubt that my morning would not have gone nearly as well. I can't get through a morning--making breakfast, backpack packing, hairdo doing, helping the girls get dressed and out the door with a happy heart and a smile on their faces--without God's help.
I need him to fill me up before I start pouring myself out. When it doesn't go that way, I'm not very nice. I'm impatient. I'm in too much of a hurry. I'm out of sorts. I'm just not right.
Just ask my kids.
Even though 5:15 is early. Even though it means I can't stay up late watching "Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys" like I'd like to do. Even though it means many of my friends and even some people in my family mock me for being sound asleep at 9:15 p.m. Even though I could get so much done if I stayed up later.
Even though.
That's why I get up early.
I don't want to face even one hour of my day without having first spent time with him. Time with Jesus makes all the difference. I know--because I've done it both ways and there's just no comparison.
Amen & AMEN! I get up at 5:30. I'm usually in bed by 10. I was a night owl until about a year ago, when the Lord convicted me on rising early. It's not always easy, but I realized that I set the tone for our mornings, and if I'm right with the Lord...our mornings (and therefore our days) are much smoother. I even have time to tackle a household chore or two before heading out the door!
I balked at rising early for years, and now I hate that I wasted all that time. I didn't think it would be worth it, but the payoff has been tremendous.
As you said...no comparison.
Posted by: Melissa @ Breath of Life | September 12, 2008 at 09:01 AM
Thank you for your words this morning. I needed to hear it.
I miss those rainy Colorado mornings. Loved them when we lived in the Springs.
Posted by: Jill | September 12, 2008 at 10:45 AM
I am facing a similar dilemma myself. I feel the Lord is asking me to start my quiet time in the AM rather than at night. As I've gotten older the morning seems worse and worse. :) My children have learned not to say too much until the coffee is going. I get alot of flack about going to bed early too. I've tried to train myself to stay up but I'm a wreck the next day. So no worries I think your in good company about the early to bed thing.
Posted by: Sara | September 12, 2008 at 11:23 AM
love the rainy mornings!!
So glad you enjoyed this one.
blessings and big hugs girl!
Posted by: Tammy | September 12, 2008 at 11:58 AM
I envy you and the "fallish" weather. Here in CA it is still in the high 80's and low 90's with no rain in sight.
Posted by: Vicki | September 12, 2008 at 01:04 PM
"Time with Jesus makes all the difference." Mmm. C'est vrai !
Posted by: Holly B. | September 15, 2008 at 12:35 AM