Cynthia Wier, Member of the Gene Decker Study Class, St. Luke’s Member since 1975

Psalm 143:8  (RSV)
Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust. Teach me in the way I should go, for to thee I lift my soul.

Reflection: 
I love the morning! I love sitting just before dawn, watching the pink and orange streaks of light as I gaze out the window toward the eastern sky. It’s a time of quiet for me, and as I wake up slowly, sip my first cup of coffee, I’m grateful.

It’s a short time alone when thoughts, ideas, memories can swirl around in my head. I don’t have to make decisions immediately. Instead of stressing with problems and frustrations that seem so hard late at night, I feel much more positive in dealing with challenges. Maybe I will take a step forward on a project that is hanging in the balance. Or perhaps a disagreement I’ve had with a friend or colleague can settle itself.

It can be a time of forgiveness. Or a chance to change directions. To go ahead and make peace with a situation that has been bothering me. I breathe easier, ready to make progress with troubling issues.

The scripture in the Psalms encourages us to approach our day in this way: “Let me hear in the morning of thy steadfast love, for in thee I put my trust.”  We know that now we can go ahead and not be afraid to move on. We can be assured that we will receive guidance from God. We can take hold of the love that God sends us.

God is offering “the way we should go.”  And we will be cared for, lifted up, to continue with the day ahead.

Of course, we can reflect on our directions from God all through our day, but we are starting out with a time when we are rested. The hours ahead have a strong beginning. Our trials seem easier when we take this time.

The beautiful English hymn begins with “New Every Morning is the Love.” Its author John Keble, a nineteenth-century Anglican pastor and poet, wrote these words:

“New every morning is the love
our wakening and uprising prove
through sleep and darkness safely brought
restored to life and power and thought.

New mercies, each returning day,
hover around us while we pray,
new perils past, new sins forgiven,
new thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.”

Keble intended his words as a meditation. And as we sing them, we feel the love and peace that God offers us each new morning.

Prayer:
Our Father, we are blessed to spend time with you in the morning light. We look to you to show us how to live. In you, we place our trust. Keep us safe in these difficult times, for we know we are wrapped in your care and love each day. In your name, Amen.