WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST MOMENTS
An inspiring conversation about how to begin.
What’s the first thing that you do when your alarm goes off in the morning? Do you jump up and get going immediately? Do you hit the snooze button once or twice? Or do you just lay there stressfully rummaging through your mind as you mentally compile a long list of “to-do’s” that are waiting for you?
Do you begin the first moments of your day with excitement and anticipation, fear and dread, worry and panic, or relaxation and peace? Or maybe you’re like me and you experience a combination of these.
Whichever category we fall into –one thing is certain. How we begin matters.
I was recently inspired by a comment made in passing by someone that I have tremendous respect for. Someone who years prior was filled with doubt, fear, and uncertainty. However, along the way, I had the privilege of watching this person mature and grow into one who walked with such humble confidence.
The words of this person who holds such a special place in my heart said
“ya know –it’s funny how different my day turns out when I don’t just end it with God, but I also begin with Him too.”
Continuing, this precious soul explained that there is always something to thank God for. Maybe it’s just the beautiful weather, a hot shower, a friendly conversation –you don’t have to look hard to find something to praise Him for. A brief pause told me there was more, and as I listened eagerly for profound wisdom that I knew would conclude the point. What followed wasn’t deep intellectual theology –instead, it was the simple truth that not only inspired me but penetrated my heart
“So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to choose to begin and end my days by thanking Him for all that will fall in between.”
It was simple but the best and most solid advice I had heard in quite a while.
Unknown to the person on the other end of the phone, the impact of our conversation caused me to stop, reflect, and be reminded of the joy that results from a thankful heart. As the call ended and I laid my phone down and closed my Bible, I thought:
What would the world look like if we CHOSE to begin our days with the One that breathes life into us?
What if we CHOSE to see the blessings in the mundane, average, and ordinary moments of life?
What if instead of beginning with our daily wants or needs, we CHOSE to praise Him instead?
What if prioritization isn’t actually as complicated as we CHOOSE to make it?
What if before we allowed the schedules, lists, must-dos, etc to sling-shot us into the day –we CHOSE to just pause?
What if we CHOSE to put first things first and second things second?
What if we realized that it all begins with one CHOICE?
And in the very first moments of every day –what if we just paused and made an intentional CHOICE to focus on the good and Praise God?
There is something sweet –something special –something clarifying that happens in those first moments when all of HIS Creation awakens to a brand new day and we pause and remember that it’s only because of HIM, that we get to be a part of it!
For me personally, when I begin my day with God, what follows is an increased sense of gratitude, peace of mind, strength, encouragement, resilience, contentment, and JOY.
What about you? What do you CHOOSE to dedicate the first moments of your day to? I don’t mean after you get up and dressed. I mean when your eyes first open and your mind and body begin to wake up —what are your first thoughts? Let us be people who begin with praise to God, the only One deserving of it.
What’s your thought?
Joyfully HIS,
Jennifer N. Pearson
I read the verse of the day on my Bible app. Then I write in my journal.
I check out my Bible app for the verse of the day. Unless something else on my phone demands my attention.