Tag: coffee

Thank you!

This morning I woke up at a decent time after sleeping through the night. My house has power. I had coffee to brew. I have running water. And I had 1/2 and 1/2 for my coffee! I often forget to appreciate these little things that have become so a part of my routine – I expect them to be there when I want them. Whatever would I have done if I lived 100 years ago? A lot more than I have to do today! I would be collecting the wood for the fire, drawing water from the well, and milking the cow for the cream in my coffee. Those activities are all blessings, too, they just aren’t a part of my day. But a good chunk of my day has been freed up by not doing those things, so what am I doing instead?

Heavenly Father,

It is so easy for me to get carried away by the tasks and responsibilities of this life and simply forget to thank you for the new day and the new possibilities that are a part of it.

Help me to notice all of your provisions today and give you thanks for them. Help me to use my time wisely!

Amen.

It’s a good morning

I woke up at 5 and decided I was not going to get out of bed just yet. Thankfully, I drifted off to sleep again. I was feeling tired before the day began so I knew it was not time to get up.

The daily schedule is so loose. And I am a person who needs deadlines to get motivated. External accountability is one of those things that is important to me. And, believe it or not, the right kind of music can be very motivating.

Take a listen to this song by Chris Rice

God tends to me while I sleep and greets me for the day. It’s a good morning. It’s going to be a good day.

Music often sets my mood so it is important for me to make sure what is running in the background is encouraging and uplifting, especially now. That might look like hymns to you but, for me, it is music with a message and a bit of a beat.

What’s on your playlist?

Let’s pray for all of the musicians who are trying to figure out how to connect with their audiences! And if you know of fun, uplifting music, share it wherever you do social media!

Pace

Have you found your optimal pace? The rhythm and tempo you work best in?

I am still trying to figure it out!

I know I don’t love the “Hurry up and wait!” kind of thing. When I have put my mind to something, I like to move forward without interruptions.

But I also think it depends on what I am trying to accomplish. If I am visiting with someone I enjoy, I don’t want to rush the time. But, there are time limits all around me. Maybe grabbing a coffee and 60 minutes of conversation is all there is time for, even though I want more time. Sometimes those limits make me cut to the heart of things much more quickly because time is of the essence.

A friend of mine recently said, “A deadline is my muse.” And boy does that ring true for me! There is nothing like a ticking clock nearing its finally tock that can spring me into action.

If the task ahead is something I dread, it is hard to get motivated. But “the road to a friend’s house is never long,” [Danish Proverb]

What motivates your movement?

  • Relationships?
  • Accomplishment?
  • Accolades?
  • Commitment?
  • Obligation?
  • Love?

I do much better following through when there is an external commitment on me. I do get plenty of things done on my own, but I often fudge on my own, self-inflicted deadlines. I probably don’t do a great job estimating what space and time I need to accomplish a task. Also, I sometimes let perfection be the enemy of something that is “good enough”.

I know I am guilty of wanting a certain pace for things. For example, when I have a need — how often do I ask God to come quickly?

16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
    in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
    deliver me because of my foes. [Psalm 69:16-18, NIV]

And God wants me to call on Him (He does quickly come) – but to also keep perspective on His pace and His much bigger picture plan.

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. [2 Peter 3:8-9]

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28, NIV].

May you have the patience to see God’s work unfolding in your life!

Liz

PrayerPrompt: GOOD, BETTER, BEST

PrayerPoint ~ Simple Pleasures ~ March 13

Do you take the opportunity to enjoy simple pleasures? So many have come my way recently and I have enjoyed them all!

* time for coffee with friends
* the beauty of a tulip tree in full bloom
* daffodils and hyacinths blooming
* date night with Don
* sleeping with the windows open last night
* learning how to make homemade yogurt
* the thoughtfulness of a friend
* digging into the book of Esther
* regular bread baking
* birds singing at 3 am
* a sunny day in the upper 70s
What is on your list?
Keep your eyes open so you can notice your simple pleasures, be spontaneous and take the opportunities presented, savor the moments, and give thanks for them! I think God places them in our lives so we can get encouragement from them but we have to be somewhat aware of our surroundings to discover them. It is too easy to be focused on the list of the day or a monumental task that precious moments quickly pass by unnoticed.
Savoring the Simple Pleasures,
Liz