I'm not sure how long it will last.
But getting up around 5AM every morning has been a welcome change. Yes, this is me, Stefanie typing, a known night owl talking. I couldn't rise before 7:20AM a few weeks ago. So believe it or not, I wake up more refreshed than my previous 11PM-7AM routine.
Now I rise, get my coffee, and quietly tip toe to the porch not to wake my house full of light sleepers. I find my spot under a blanket and sit on the bed, sipping my coffee.
Surveying my surroundings, I see the sun breaking through the trees. I hear the wind dancing through the leaves, and smell the morning breeze coming through the windows as it gently brushes my skin.
I don't even notice the mess on the porch, the out of place chairs, or glass tea cup on the drum kit. Ok, maybe I do but I don't get up to fix it.
Sometimes I grab a book or Bible and start reading, other times I write. But it's in the stillness, the calm before the storm, I feel peace. Any minute, I will hear doors. The pitter patter of feet. The coffee machine with fire up again, cartoons will resume, and the business of the day begins.
Any.
Second.
Now.
But until then, I sit. Slowly welcoming the day. Inviting God to become present in my mind.
Getting up early is part of my realignment plan. I used to think that if God wanted me do something, He would make it easy. You know, yoke easy, burden light? And once you take the leap, there are blessings, but it doesn't mean it was, or got, easy. Every morning I argue with my snooze button. When I win, I get blessed with all the beautiful things I experience waking up early. But it's still hard to get up. Every. Morning.
>>>> <<<<
I saw an article on fb about the pitfalls of waking up and checking your phone. Do you do that? I used to roll over, open my eyes and swipe right. I didn't even lift my head before I was connected. Weather. Calendar. Instagram. Facebook. email. Increasing and obsessively entering the world and all its fallen mess like a head on collision. At times, getting up frustrated, disappointed, hurt, or jealous.
Friends, that is no way to wake up. No need to put those garbage thought in our minds first thing in the morning. "Take every thought captive," I think someone once said. Maybe that exercise is best started in the morning by being with Jesus instead of Twitter.
This new rhythm is the stretching part before a race.
This new rhythm prevents injuries to my soul.
This new rhythm paces me for the long race.
Some mornings I run after I write. And by 8AM I feel accomplished. Proud. My mind in a catchers pose instead of up to bat, swinging. It feels good when you do what you feel like you should, right?
I highly recommend 5AM wake up calls. And be easy on yourself if you don't quite hit 5AM everyday. From one night owl, type A to another, make it 5ish.
