Morning by morning new mercies of kindness and grace await us.

We are invited to open our eyes to the sounds of birdsong already singing their praise, to greet the day with humble thanks, to swing our feet out of bed and step into the conscious presence of the God who has kept us through the night, who keeps us in his sight whether waking or sleeping, whether quaking in difficult lessons or reaping delectable blessings.

“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.’  The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.  It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” (Lamentations 3: 22-26)

It was early in the morning Jesus met with the Father to establish the tune of praise in his soul to meet the cares of peasants and priests, to greet the realities of hunger and feasts, to wash the feet of those who followed in his way, to squash unjust treatment of the poor and marginalized held at bay from polite society.

It was early in the morning God’s faithfulness was reaffirmed before coming up against unfaithful crowds to teach and fanfare the kingdom of heaven, to reach hurting people, to preach a new day coming.

It was early in the morning he turned his heart towards the steady grace he knew he’d find to sustain him in the servant life of holding out a saving hope.

In both scheduled events or things which slip in unannounced to push the boundaries of time to their extremities may we wait on him with a quiet spirit … early … before we forget and try to do this on our own.

‘Lord, help us linger in the morning gardens of your love in full bloom, reminding us that you are there.  Before the rush to arrive at our places of busy responsibilities begins. Before the crush of unfair weight bears down upon us or those we serve.  Before the doubts or desperate sense that we are not enough can surface.  Before the cares of leading in a world where much is unclear confront us, you are there to hush our hearts and let the light of glory rise within to meet the day with peace.

For each one who has become lost in the darkness of the night, or evening rest feels so very far away, or morning madness has become the norm, draw them to yourself to find a fresh new song of inner stillness, deep-breath prayer and praise to greet the sunlight of your never failing love morning by morning and be renewed.  Amen.’