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Not only worth it- But Vitally Necessary

With the weather so horridly chilly it’s been hard to get out of my nice warm bed in the morning. We are still on Christmas break this week- I decided to stretch it out to 2 weeks as last week was so hectic and busy- the kidlets and I needed the down time of this week to recoop. So its been a few days of sleeping in, reading in bed before getting up, having brunch instead of breakfast and lunch, watching DVDs we received as presents and lots of playing in the snow. A bit of time to put the house to rights after the holidays before starting back to schooling full force.
As the momma and the manager of my home it’s hard to give myself permission to sleep in or snuggle in and enjoy the special treat. I start out enjoying the snuggle in and after a bit feel guilty about laying abed when there are things that need doing. I try to tell myself that it’s a special treat and relax and enjoy it—but the guilt just builds and so I tumble out of bed- more grumbly than joyful . . . .
Not this morning—I knew it would be my last snuggle in morning as we return to our regular scheduling next week—so I treated myself to staying up a bit later last night reading a good book, knowing I could sleep in a bit this morning. My body woke me at it’s regular get up time but I told myself—it’s your last sleep in day- and drifted off back to sleep for another 20 minutes. When I woke again, I took the opportunity to snuggle back under the covers and spend some time in good and deep prayer to start my day. I wasn’t rushed or worried about needing to get up before the children to get this and this and this done—I just took the time to pray and let my mind wander over all the different needs that needed mentioning, the praises that needed to be raised, the thanks that needed giving. I took the time to set my day aright before setting my feet on the floor. I prayed over my day—asking the Lord to guide me in doing what needed to be done and prioritizing my day.
I realize I took the extra time to do this today because I had the extra time- no terribly pressing matters to take care of today besides the feeding and care of the children. I know Monday will dawn a different day— a back-to-school day, a youth ministry work day and all the regular this, that and the other that comes with running a home type of day . . . . I must not allow the busy-ness of the day to take precedence over spending that extra time in prayer—it is more than worth it—It is vitally necessary.
I pray throughout the day but taking that specific time at the beginning of the day- before I even get out of bed—that prayer to start the day is a different prayer. It sets the tone of my day, it puts things in perspective and gives me gentle reminders throughout the remainder of my day as to who is in charge of what I do and do not accomplish.
And so it is my goal, for this glorious new year spread out before me, to spend that quality time in morning prayer before even getting out of bed. I know it won't happen every day but I pray that those days are few and far between.
Amen.

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3:52 PM, 2008-Jan-4 .. Posted by gabbie427

Good for you, for realizing you and the kids needed an extra day or two and doing it for yourself and for them!!!

I did the same thing with my cleaning schedule. I just couldn't get going, so decided to take today off, and get a few things done tomorrow and try again Monday!!!

God's Blessings,
Amy Jo

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8:38 PM, 2008-Jan-4 .. Posted by Marseeya

Amen, sister, Amen! The priorities of prayer and family are noble. Rested mommies and kids make for happier days!
Marcia