I awakened this morning feeling fresh and renewed following a night of uninterrupted sleep. What a welcome relief after several nights of wakefulness. Last night God nudged me to pray as soon as my head hit the pillow. Sweet time with Him produced deep, peaceful sleep.

Unfortunately, too often, once in bed, I give way to “thinking about things” before praying. When this happens my muscles tense and my heart beats faster and there I lie, captive to my thoughts. As stubborn eyes refuse to close, incessant mutterings in my head conjure up feelings of inadequacy, leading to dark and dangerous places.

Regrettably, earlier that evening, I allowed Satan to wiggle himself in through a crack into the door of my mind. This attack of the evil one, still fresh on my mind, as I hauled my battle-weary body into bed, intensified my eagerness to commune with God.

Sweet worship and fellowship with warm and loving brothers and sisters the previous day was so amazing. The songs of praise and time in the Word encouraged and stirred my heart to a desire for more intimate relationship with my God.

After church I busied myself with “stuff” at home. That evening, weary from the long day, I reclined on the sofa to watch another episode of “my show.” The show ended, but why did I continue to lie there?

      Get up and get ready for bed, lazy one.

My body refused to cooperate and replays from the morning
began to dominate my thoughts.

This sly fox once again takes my thoughts hostage and they
become twisted and distorted.

He pokes and prods.

     Why didn’t I say something more encouraging to her
this morning?

      How could I talk so much when it was so obvious that I just needed to listen?

      Am I not the older woman? Have I not lived life longer? Have I gained any wisdom from all these years of experiences in which You have attempted to teach this stubborn heart Your Ways?

       If only……  

       If only……  

       If only……

Oh yes, Satan is so good at his game!

Sipping my coffee, I read 1 Peter. It is exactly what I need to hear this Monday morning.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2: 9,10

What a difference it makes to walk in the Light!  So, on this glorious morning, I choose Light and bid goodbye to the darkness of the evening before.  I am extremely grateful for a merciful God who forgives, even when I fail to acknowledge Him. I am incredibly thankful for a gracious God who continually pours blessing into my life when I know I don’t deserve it.

It is truly a good Monday Morning!