Banish the Morning Blues and Celebrate Each Day with the Psalmists

 

Local friends, please read the invitation at the conclusion of this post and RSVP. Thank you.

When you hear, “She got up on the wrong side of the bed,” you know someone displayed grouchy behavior. How can we start our days on the right side and banish the morning blues? Let’s start by celebrating each day with morning prayers from God’s Word.

Even if we don’t display grouchy behavior, life’s circumstances can cloud our attitude as soon as we wake up unless “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV) and focus on God.

Let’s celebrate each morning as a gift from Him—because it is. When we begin the day with our focus on our heavenly Father, the early minutes become golden opportunities to praise and worship Him and to seek His guidance for the day.

News reports, illness, and other difficult situations weigh on our minds, but sharing our burdens with the God of all comfort gives us peace. Reading the Bible reminds us of who He is—our holy, faithful, omnipotent Father who is filled with love and kindness.

News reports, illness, and other difficult situations weigh on our minds, but sharing our burdens with the God gives us peace. Share on X

Here’s a collection of some morning prayers from the Psalms. You could mark them in your Bible, type them into a phone app, or write them on cards. This practice will likely lead to reading and praying entire chapters in this marvelous book.

Morning Prayers

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. –Psalm 143:8

 

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning. –Psalm 130:6a

 

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. –Psalm 90:14

 

 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. –Psalm 59:16

 

 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. –Psalm 119:147

 

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. –Psalm 19:14

A morning promise:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. –Lamentations 3:22-23

Here’s another verse that helps us evaluate our thoughts and keep them sunny throughout the day. Paul’s message to the Philippians helps us focus our thoughts from one sunrise to the next.

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.   –Philippians 4:8

This evening verse will help us rest well and get up the next morning on the right side the next morning.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. –Psalm 4:8

*All Scripture verses are taken from the NIV.

After you read the verses, share with us a favorite from the list or your favorite verse or chapter that helps you banish the blues and celebrate each day as a gift from God.

Local friends, you’re invited. You may buy books for yourself or for Christmas gifts or bring one you’ve already purchased if you want it signed. We’ll enjoy light refreshments and decorated tables. Plan to join the celebration and please RSVP to Jeannie@JeannieWaters.com. I hope to see you October 29!

Resist the Holiday Rush: Accept a Gift from God’s Table

Dear friend,

Pull up a chair and notice the gift on the table. The tag reads: “From: God, To: You.”

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Yes, this present is for you. Take a deep breath and lay aside your to-do list for a moment. Ready?

Now, remove the ribbon. Lift the lid and move the tissue paper aside. Is that not the most beautiful gift you’ve seen in ages? What? You don’t see it? The box looks empty?

That’s the beauty of it, my friend. The box is empty by design. When I explain, you’ll love your one-size-fits-all, yet personally designed, very-much-needed present.

Rest is one of the many gifts God places on His table for us.  

Within this gift, you’ll find margins. Yes, margins. My first-grade teacher taught me to leave margins on my papers. They create a neat appearance and make the writing more attractive and easier to read.

What about margins in our daily calendars?

Margins are bits of unscheduled time for resting, creating or otherwise enjoying the day. Lately, I’ve read several blog posts about this topic. Maybe the idea of setting margins is popular because of our fast-paced lives.

We’re tempted to fill the days with countless chores and opportunities and then become frustrated when tasks are left undone, leaving no time for relaxation. Can anyone identify?

The best news? God designed rest for us because He knows we need it. Rest and margins are among the many gifts our heavenly Father gives us.

Imagine with me the table the psalmist described when he spoke to God,

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

Psalm 23:5 NKJV

How can we fight the spiritual enemies of fear, worry, doubt, and discouragement if we refuse God’s gift of rest until we become bone-tired?

 Jesus said to His disciples,

Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while. For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.

Mark 6:31 NKJV

Although I know Jesus rested and instructed His disciples to do so, I’ll confess. I’m a calendar crammer. (My husband may tell me to practice what I preach if he reads this post!)

Even when weeks are full, I slip extra events and chores into tiny pockets of time, erroneously thinking I’ll get to all of it. That practice creates stress and frustration I don’t need.

Here’s a better way.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15 ESV

 We obey the last part of the verse, especially during this Thanksgiving month, but we often ignore the first part of the verse in our rush to join the Holiday Rush!

The lives of Christ-followers can overflow with peace and gratitude, but it’s difficult to embrace the peace of Jesus when we’re in a frenzy from a jam-packed agenda. In addition to prayer and Bible study, we need times of rest and relaxation.

The lives of Christ-followers can overflow with peace and gratitude, but it’s difficult to embrace the peace of Jesus when we’re in a frenzy from a jam-packed agenda. Share on X

We need time to allow the peace of Christ to rule our hearts. We need to savor His peace and allow it to fill our minds and direct our decision-making.

Two conversations led me to rethink the way I make holiday decisions.

A dear friend shared her plans.

I’m going to make and freeze a pound cake ahead of time, bake fruitcake cookies, and make nut cookies. That’s all I’m baking this year. I’ll buy some chocolate goodies and cheese straws. I want to honor the Lord and enjoy a calm, joyful time with my family instead of being exhausted when they arrive.

Another friend confessed, “I’m dreading the holidays already! Everyone comes to my house and it’s so much work. I want them to come, and I’m happy to prepare for them, but I end up exhausted and grouchy.”

Sound familiar? It’s a blessing to serve others, but it’s also hard work. Thanksgiving opens the door to the Christmas season and the rush is on before we know it. Food, gifts, programs, cards, dinners, company…and the beat goes on.

What can we do to prepare for a joyous, peaceful holiday season?

I hope you’ll join me and try this four-step process to prepare for the holidays, and more importantly, to “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”

Invite Jesus to Fill Your Heart with His Peace

  1. Stop.
  2. Sit still long enough to pray and seek God’s gift of rest.
  3. Ask the Prince of Peace to fill your hearts and direct your plans.
  4. Proceed with holiday plans and take intentional steps to share His peace with others. 
Planner, Flatlay, Calendar, Schedule

Look into your box again. Pull out those margins of rest and put them into your calendar. It’s refreshing to have time to pray, take a walk, doodle or thumb through a magazine, listen to music, sketch a picture, or read.

Take one more deep breath. (Surely, we have time for at least two a day, right?)

Like the margins on my first-grade papers, unscheduled time makes our lives neater and more appealing as the joy and peace of Christ fill our hearts and overflow to others. Time spent with Him and the addition of margins will bring smiles and fortify us to resist the holiday rush.

Your friend who’s learning to add margins,

Jeannie

Please share the ways you accept God’s gift of rest and add margins to your calendar. Let’s help each other.  

Cheese Slicer, Crackers, Appetizers

P. S. I promised to share holiday appetizer recipes, and I will soon. Until then, here’s a reminder of some old favorites.

                         Pigs in a Blanket

Cut canned biscuits in half or use crescent roll dough.

Add a mini sausage and some sharp cheddar or another cheese.

Roll up and bake at 375 until golden brown.

                           Stuffed Celery

Stuff celery sticks with pimento cheese.

Garnish with extra pimento slices.  

Use the celery leaves as a garnish to create a pretty appetizer plate.

                    Disappearing Snack Crackers

Spread softened cream cheese onto a round, salty cracker.

Add a dollop of green pepper jelly.

Coming soon: Hearty Olé Appetizer, veggie dip, pickle sandwiches, Cheese Crispies, and more