Saturday, 5:00 am. Woke to the sound of my baby’s cries and remember that he still takes a bottle early in the morning – I should get up and do that. I go to the bathroom, return to our room, try to ignore his cries, and I am reminded that this phase won’t last much longer. I tiptoe to his room next door, and bring the bottle, comfort and cuddles that won’t last forever. As I tuck him back in, I hear the birds chirping, beckoning me to sneak out and watch the sunrise – something I haven’t done in a very long time. I tie on my running shoes, and open the door to a world of wonder – trees blooming, birds chirping happily, sun just beginning to wake up. So too, my soul comes alive as I remember how God invites us into His presence if we but listen. I’ve been trying to listen more closely. And it’s hard, but good. I’m turning from the noise, temptations, and distractions, to see what good things God might be waiting to give just around the corner.
I love the MSG paraphrase of Matthew 6:30-34 –
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
7:00 am. I make a family recipe – Pfannkuchen – and listen to waking and rustling upstairs. Baby babble, happy laughter and tickles, chasing and throwing on the bed…My home is waking up, and I am ready to serve. I’m not always awake at this point, but today feels different. God has been whispering and calling to my heart, and it doesn’t feel as hard to repent from bitterness that has settled in over weeks and months.
9:00 am. Walk with my guys around the neighborhood. These walks are both good and hard, as are most things. Conversations bring connection and also conflict, but I find that God’s earlier preparation of my heart to look for what He has done, and not grasp for what He hasn’t yet, has softened me and brings sweet connection with the ones I love.
11 am. Dishes washed, and my heart has been washed too. I’m alive to God and though the battles still crouch at the door (Genesis 4:7), I’m more in tune with God and what is truly real.
What about you? Are you awake to the work of God in your life? I’m finding that small steps early on prepare my body, mind and soul to rest in Him all day. Our Warrior King has won the victory over all sin, flesh and evil. Will we walk in that? Put on those shoes. The birds are chirping and He’s waiting to open the door for you too!
nourishedbygrace.com 
Lovely post, my friend. God is so good and it is wonderful to see Spring all around us!
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Thanks, Laurie. So grateful to God for new beginnings!! xoxo
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