Scripture: Psalm 108 – “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.” (NRSV)
Last year, I started a new diet and exercise routine and ended up losing about fifty pounds. Now comes the hard part of keeping it off! During the spring and summer of last year, when everyone was at home, I was able to go out early in the morning after my prayers before anyone else was awake and go for a walk. I would often listen to books on my mp3 player (antiquated technology, I know). It was a wonderful way to the start the day, helping me physically and emotionally.
But like the diet piece, the real problem is maintaining the practice. And during school, when my wife and kids need help getting out the door, it was hard to get out before everyone else, before the day became busy. Squeezing in an afternoon walk amid homework and dinner was too stressful, and so I fell back into the habit of working late and being listless in the morning.
Our spiritual routines are much like our physical ones. When we are overwhelmed with a problem, we might throw ourselves into faith and spiritual practice with zeal, but over time that excitement and commitment lag, and we might find ourselves in similar situations that led to our problems in the first place.
That is why a good start is so important. A good walk and a good breakfast help us start the day off right, but a good prayer helps orient our whole day towards God. So, try getting into the habit of praying each morning as well. You may only be able to start once a week (Sunday is good!). But the more you spend time with God, the more you will feel that God is with you and the happier and healthier you may become.
Prayer: Lord of joy and hope, help me to fix my mind on you at dawn and at all other times. Amen.
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