What do you open first?

Whew!  I'm not sure what part of my day is the most hectic - mornings or evenings?  Mornings are filled with many personal activities plus getting kids dressed and out the door... evenings are filled with dinner, homework, piano, T-Ball, bath-time, story-time, etc.

So this morning as I realized my alarm was going off at 4:30am... I ran through my list - prayer time, write my blog, exercise, pack kids backpacks, pack my own necessities for a day of subbing at the high school, you know this really could go on and on...

I was extremely tempted to open Facebook and email to see what had gone on overnight.  I love watching Fox News - so I really wanted to turn on the TV to get caught up in the news department.  I wanted to turn on my treadmill and get that knocked out first.  I for sure wanted to turn on the coffee pot and get that brewing so I could function for the rest of the morning!

What do you turn on or open first?

My Rockstar (my husband) always had a personal rule - and he did his best to pass on to me - that he would only first open his Bible before "opening" or "turning on" anything else.  He knew that in order to properly function throughout the day - his Bible and time with God had to come first!  He always used to say, "Before I open my computer, before I open the door to my office, before I open up voicemail - I open my Bible to listen to God first!"

I recently heard a cable TV commercial.  The lady in the ad says this, "The first thing I turn on every day is my TV - and right after that, it's my computer."  This ad encourages us to put a tangible thing first!  How backwards!

I must admit this is often a struggle for me - I want to turn on the news, open my Facebook, open my email, open my Twitter, turn on my iPod - all so I can "feel" connected - plugged in to what's going on!

I'm curious this morning... do you struggle with this too?  What do you turn on - or open - first thing in the morning?

Think of the difference we could make for God - or the difference in our very own spirits -  if we opened God's Word before we opened our computers!

What your "one word"?

I have often asked ladies in my years of ministry, if you could use one word to describe your life what would it be.

My word has always been 

REDEEMED.

I grew up in a Christian home and became a Christian at a very young age.  However, my college and young adult years were not kind to my life of faith.  I was rebellious for many years.  I made many mistakes for which I am not proud, and stayed away from the Lord as a result.

One particular life decision brought me to such devastation, the only thing I could think to do was return to the Lord.  I began going back to church, reading my Bible, praying and as a result my life was changed forever!

I met John, my Pastor husband, we had 2 beautiful, healthy children and had a beautiful life of faith together.  REDEEMED.  This was the only word I could think to describe my life!  I didn't deserve any of this, and yet the Lord redeemed me and took my worst and gave me the very best!

So today, on the 3 month mark of John's Homegoing.... I've often asked myself... "So what's my word now?"  Can I really describe my life as REDEEMED when it feels like I've lost the very best part of me?

This has been a question I've had in my heart since December 30th.  And today I found my answer in the words of David in Psalms.

Psalm 71: 20-21 (ESV)

You who have made me see troubles and calamities will revive me again;

from the depths of the earth You will bring me up again.

You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.

Okay... brief interjection...
As I read this, I thought... "this is me!"  The Lord has allowed me to experience this great tragedy.  Yes, from the "depths of the earth" I have been!  Oh what a joy to know that He will bring me out of this despair and comfort me again!

I know the story of David.  I know the pain that was in his heart over his great loss.  You can hear it in his voice from these verses.  But look at what he says next.  The very next verse after he speaks of his great pain amazed me!

Psalm 71:22-23 (ESV)

I will also praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praises to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You;

my soul also, which You have redeemed.

Wow!  David gives us a great example that after a tragedy, after pain that sends us to the depths of the earth we can still praise Him.  We can still recognize our God as faithful. We can still have joy.

And the best part for me today... 

we are still REDEEMED!

Do you have a "one word"?  

Whatever "word" God has given you... nothing on this earth can take that away!

If you're here from iFellowship... WELCOME!

I hope you grab a cup of your favorite beverage

and hang out with me a while!

Leave me a comment, so I'll know you came by

and know that I'll be by later to visit you as well!