Good morning

I remember visiting my grandma - "Grammie" - when I was small, probably six or seven, at her home in Florida, and telling her to wake me up early to have coffee with her. It was our special time, just the two of us, when I didn't have to share her with anyone else. The few times she didn't, because she didn't want to disturb my sleep, I was devastated at having missed out on our time together. But most mornings, she would come in with her silky houserobe on, wake me up, and take me to her screened in porch, where she would serve me toast and "coffee" - chocolate milk in a tea cup. We'd read the funnies in the newspaper, clean seashells from our adventure the day before, or watch a momma duck patiently tending to her eggs outside. I distinctly remember the smells and sounds and feel of the early morning in that screened-in porch in Florida. Those are still some of my clearest and dearest memories of my Grammie.

I'm more than twenty years older now, and I wouldn't consider myself a "morning person," in the sense that I am not hyper and wide awake and ready for action, but I do still love quiet mornings of sweet fellowship. It seems like life is still quiet and peaceful and new, and it is a good time for pure conversation or comfortable silence with someone who is dear and trusted. I've spent this time with my mom, Jenni, Leigh Ann, Alan, Laura, and others over the years.

Lately, Hannah and I have been waking up at 6:20 to have tea and pray together. Some days it's harder than others to get out of bed, but we are always so thankful that we do. It's our special time to spend just with Jesus (who is also awake), and it gives us strength and focus for the day.

This morning, Hannah had to leave for work at 6:30, so we got up earlier to pray, and now I'm sitting by myself in our house until my helper comes at 8. I'm listening to Andrew Peterson sing, watching the darkness burn away, and thanking the Lord that his mercies toward me are new every morning. Normally, it's not just the two of us if I am awake at this hour, but I think He wanted to have some quality time just with me, like I used to want with my Grammie. So we'll have some tea together and watch the sunrise, and have some sweet fellowship as he reminds me of his faithfulness and I rest in his promises... Yes, this will be a very good morning.