Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Morning Quiet

          I've searched for quiet time for years, fully aware, every single morning, of how unprepared I am to step into the day without God’s help. I’ve long awakened slowly, sometimes cranky, in varying degrees of unwillingness to give up cozy and lazy and self to the multitude of needs that will greet me on that day. Over time, I realized fuel is needed before attempting what comes so unnaturally – and I need it every single morning (leaky vessel, I am).

          Still, time to refuel is elusive in a family; business and activity and habit crowd in, along with many voices wanting attention and the laundry, oh the laundry! Quiet must be carved out of hours not used or those wasted on things that don’t edify, and I find mine in the still-dark hour I always slept through.

          For months, this habit has been building; rising with alarm, and after several weeks, beginning to wake alone and even gladly, anxious for this quiet meeting time with God. I move through dark house, and squirrel a cup of tea back up to my bedroom where dog, cat and I sit with Bible and devotionals. This lovely quiet hour, once dreamed through, has become my favorite time of day. This morning, Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke to me from the pages of Devotions for Lent, and before I jump into breakfast and school and laundry, I wanted to share with you.

Oh God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you;
I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me….

Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before men.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.
Amen.
-         Dietrich Bonhoeffer Germany/ 1906-1945


Thankful for quiet, restoration and God’s ever present help, and

Trusting in Him,

Aimee

2 comments:

  1. I just read a number of your posts and I am in tears. I can hardly see my computer screen through my blurry eyes. You are so strong and so faithful.
    "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
    "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
    Thank God for families and moms like you!
    Blessings,
    Holly Muir (His Hands Taiwan)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Holly, thank you for your kind words. If you see anything good here, that would be Jesus. Me? So not strong, just hanging on to the hope and strength of One much more capable than me.

    Like you say on your His Hands Taiwan website: "The journey we have taken so far really emphasizes our inadequacy and God's provision in spite of us. With God ALL THINGS
    ARE POSSIBLE. It is so neat that God chooses to use us to fulfill His purposes."

    I'd love to hear more about what you do in Taiwan!
    Blessings to you and yours,
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete