Starting the Day Off Right
Posted on: November 13, 2014
- In: Everyday Life | Faith
- 2 Comments
Unless you’re a cat, maybe there’s a better way to approach the day…
Someone who stumbled upon this blog could be forgiven for thinking this post deals with the importance of a proper breakfast.
As this blog centres on living out our faith, though, I’m talking about starting off the day in the right frame of mind.
For anyone like me who longs to hit the snooze button on the clock radio and burrow into the covers for just a little longer, this is no mean feat.
When I was growing up, my mother used to hum and sing early in the morning while I growled in my head. My brother probably would have done the same, but that would have meant getting out of bed sooner.
I’ve never been a morning person. I’m up very early but not at my best at 6 a.m. And so I’m challenged by this quote from St. Charles Borromeo, which I read in the November issue of Catholic Digest (“Quiet moments, daily inspiration, feasts, and fun for November”):
If we wish to make any progress in the service of God, we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness.
Please don’t think I mean we should sing or be perky the moment our feet hit the floor. For many of us, that would come across as being artificial. It could also earn glares in a culture where many people need a cup or two of java before they face the day.
Instead, I think we could approach each day with a better attitude, not dreading that we have to get out of bed but feeling grateful that we can. Appreciating that we’re still alive and able to make a difference in the world. Offering our skills and abilities to God to use that day. Looking for opportunities to serve him by serving others.
And if that seems a bit too optimistic, especially coming from a realist like me, then take a cue from these words in Lamentations 3:22-24*:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
(*Scripture quote taken from the Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version, Second Catholic Edition.)
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A Catholic Convert in Ottawa 
November 13, 2014 at 4:08 pm
I too am not a morning person. But I often look forward to the alarm clock waking me up, because morning is my best time with God. Once I get my cup of coffee, I quiet my mind and focus on the Spirit of God within me. Sometimes I read my bible, or another Christian book. Morning is my favorite part of my day. And yes, for me there’s no better way to start my day.
November 14, 2014 at 12:05 pm
And by making time for this early in the day, time with God doesn’t end up on the to-do list as something you might not get to.