Joy in the morning

Strange how things hit you when you least expect them. As I was praying (admittedly briefly tonight as I am tired) I distinctly remember thinking, "boy, for someone who is attempting to challenge themselves to a month of prayer, you suck!" I looked at the clock and realized that I could start a new book that I have been wanting to read, "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper. I am sure you will hear more about the book soon, but tonight something else struck me. As I finished reading for about 45 minutes, just to the point where my eyelids were blissfully droopy and I could fall asleep with little randomness inside my head, I turned the light off and rolled over to enjoy my oh so comfortable bed. I then moved to thinking about what lie ahead for my day tomorrow, with a little disappointment. It will be a busy and active one, and cold. These thoughts are proceeded by the start of this day and I smiled remembering what a wonderful silly moment I had pulling out of the garage this morning. As I plugged in my iPod, Michael Jackson blared through the speakers, volume left inappropriately set from my last workout. "Man in the Mirror" was just starting...one of my favorites! "Yes!", I thought, and turned it up a little more. I then went through two lights and entered Highway 59 with not one thought of anything except how much I love this song and with ridiculous dancing...as much as one can possibly do behind the wheel of a vehicle, plus some! I was ready for what was BOUND to be a wonderful day! And then, stop after stop, phone call after phone call, hour after hour, my day just sort of ebbed and flowed, concluding with exhaustion. Some great moments, some average ones, some not so great. How could a day that started like that turn out to be average? And tonight it hit me...That is life. And the fulfillment of the Promise of joy in the morning. As I rest tonight, I know that the same joy that I saw this morning is certainly ahead of me again and again. Thank you Father, for daytime and night time, for beginning of weeks and weekends, for new months and new years! For fresh starts that are all around us. No matter what each moment of my life holds, may I always be thankful for the Promise of joy in the morning.

Psalm 30:4-5

Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing (joy) comes in the morning.