The day will arrive
Salvador Dalí’s house – photo by Szoltys, public domain via Wikimedia Commons
“It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot…In a few moments the day will arrive…For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice.” – Max Lucado
Many years ago my friend Gloria, who has been a psychotherapist for more than 40 years, told me that people with depression often have the hardest time in the morning. At first that surprised me, since sunlight has always lifted my moods so effectively. But when I stopped to think about it, it made sense that morning would be a big obstacle to anyone who feels despondent.
As far back as I can remember, mornings have been quite difficult for me, and never more than now. The bed is such a quiet, restful retreat. The business and busyness of the day loom, intimidating me with the challenges of complex tasks and the drudgery of simple but unappealing ones. If I awaken early (which happens often) I have a bad tendency to start ruminating on all the things that are worrying me. Almost every day, right before I get out of bed, I begin the day with a simple prayer: God, please help me.
Usually I am able to get myself going and shake off the doom-and-gloom apprehension, but some mornings my crankiness carries right into the daily routine, affecting not only me, but Matt and now, Jeff. (Before retirement, Jeff left for work so early that Matt and I were still in bed. I bet there are some days he wishes he still did that.) 😀
It’s a curious fact– or maybe not so curious– that the first few minutes of the day seem to exert a powerful influence on the remaining 16-18 waking hours. It could be my imagination, but those frustrating days when everything seems to go wrong almost always begin with my “getting up on the wrong side of the bed” as the old saying used to go.
I’ve developed some coping mechanisms which seem to help, beginning with my brief but heartfelt prayer. Tea has been a wonderful thing to look forward to each day. I also give myself a head start by preparing as many things in advance as I can the night before, laying out clothes and checking Matt’s daily log and packing most of his lunch. If I have to check his Coumadin level in the morning, I set the meter out so I won’t forget.
Instead of turning the alarm clock off, I might leave the classical music playing as I make the beds. Some mornings I will step outside on the deck and listen to the birds. In the summer it often feels deliciously cool before the heat of the day has set in, and it’s almost impossible to feel dejected when one is surrounded by green trees and singing birds.
Lucado is right; each morning we have a choice to make. However good or bad things may be, we can make them better or worse by the choices we make about how we approach the coming hours. Getting off on the wrong foot won’t necessarily derail the entire day, but it almost always goes better if we resolve early to recognize the day as the blessing it truly is.
Are mornings ever hard for you? If so, do you have any secrets for getting through those first few minutes with a good attitude?
This post was first published seven years ago today. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
Defeat Despair 
I have never been a morning person, so no matter how early I go to bed the morning always feels “too early”.
I do try to get up before my children, and have a little quiet time (I often catch up on WordPress in this time). Stepping outside feels like wonderful advice though. When the kids and I adventure outdoors, especially in the woods, I almost always notice my mood shifting in a good way. Nature is so calming.
If I could get myself moving, a morning walk would probably be a wonderful way to start the day. 🌳🐦🌸
I wouldn’t wish what happened to me on anyone, but I too could never get myself going in the morning, until my catastrophic facial injury/brain concussion. It’s like it hit some sort of re-set button in my brain. Short of that, the best advice I can give is to allow yourself to do something happy when you rise early. Then, it will gradually become something you want to do.
Sorry to hear you went through that!
I do think if I got myself up and did something I enjoyed it would make each time a little easier. Just have to do those hard first few days to start building that habit.
Years ago I read a book called Eat that Frog! that suggested one should do the most difficult or dreaded task first each morning. That might work in a business location with set hours, but when one has an early morning hour or two on arising, before the schedule begins in earnest, I’m for using it in a way that starts the day with joy, if at all possible.
I agree 🙂
Hi Julia,
I agree. The key for a good day is recognizing it for what it is – a blessing! Talking with God before getting out of bed is a good practice as well. Some time ago, I had a conversation with my pastor about morning routines, such as reading devotionals. He said; “every morning, as soon as my two feet hit the floor, I give thanks and pray”. Then, the rest of the day unfolds. 😊
Continued prayers for you and Matt! 🙏
Thank you, Chris. One thing to come of the trauma of the past decade, is that prayer long ago ceased to be something I had to remind myself to do– a “should” rather than the absolute necessity it has become. Granted, my prayers bear little resemblance to what I once thought of as prayer. They are not long recitations or even full of much detail anymore. Rather, I simply give thanks and seek guidance and mercy, for me, and sometimes for others. That pretty much covers it for now. It’s rather like putting the key in the ignition to start the car.
Good morning’Julia!
I pray a similar prayer:
Dear God,
Please help.
Thank you, Julia, for the above explanation of your current prayer life. It describes mine as well. I would not have thought of describing it as putting the key in the ignition but that “nailed it”. I have thought of it as living in communion with Jesus throughout each day. I was always blessed by your comments on UR Daily Devotional. I’ve always been the shy one in “the balcony” and never commented on line until recently. Through the years I’ve been greatly blessed by your blog and photography!!🙏❤️
Rosalie, thank you so much for stepping into the comments section often enough to let me know you are here. A great many other share your shyness about commenting publicly, and that’s okay. But I am always blessed when someone lets me know they are out there. And thank you for your generous words about my writing and photographs. Let’s keep turning that key and (to mix metaphors) walking with Jesus through each day. It’s the best way to defeat despair. Thanks again for being here!
Julia,
There are two approaches to greet the new day. One is to say: “Good God, morning!” or “Good morning, God.” It reveals a lot on how we are about to face the offing’s of the new day and our reaction to them.
Alan, so true! How are you, my friend? I really appreciate your steadfast presence here. Hoping all is well in “the quiet corner.”
Julia, A bit of a challenge for now. Wearing a catheter until a prostate biopsy at the end of Oct. Doctor is confident all will go well and to treat what is found, if of any significance, and rid me of the catheter.
Stay well my friend. Think of you and are in my prayers.
-Alan
Alan, I’m sorry you are having to endure this medical process, but happy that the doctor sounds confident all will be well. I’m sending prayers for this to be resolved with as little pain and hassle as possible. We all live longer (on average) nowadays, and with that increase in life span comes a lot more time in medical settings as we might wish for, as I and my friends and relatives are discovering firsthand. I try to stay grateful and endure! I know you do too. Warmest wishes for blessings in the weeks to come!
Julia,
Thank you for those uplifting words. I believe we can only do all that is available to us. The rest I put in God’s and the hands and of the doctors’ who He has so graced. In His will is our peace.
Prayers carry a lot of clout. God’s blessings on you and your family Julia.
-Alan
Thank you, Alan. How are you doing? Prayers do indeed make a difference. I’m sending you mine! ❤
Doing well. I have the biopsy on the 30th as an out-patient. Appreciate the prayers. They carry much weight.
-Alan
Alan, I will be thinking of you and holding you in prayer tonight and through tomorrow especially. Please let me know how it goes.
Thanks Julie,
It went well. A 2 step forward, 1 step bake healing process. Have a follow up on Wed, Keep the prayers coming.
Fondly friend,
-Alan
Hi Alan, I signed on hoping I would hear from you (I didn’t want to email you because I’m sure you have enough on your hands right now). I’m so happy that things went well thus far. As you know, I’ve been experiencing the “2 steps forward, 1 step back” of healing since March 2021, and I would like to think I’m more patient now than I was when it all started. I keep reminding myself that God’s timing is perfect. I will continue to lift you up in prayers and rejoice with you at every step forward! Thank you for being a steadfast example of courage and optimism. Sending you many fond thoughts to go with the prayers!
The results were great! Of 23 samples for analysis taken by my doctor ALL were benign. Praise God and all those like you who offered up prayers on my behalf. The catheter is scheduled to be removed Dec. 13th.
-Alan
Alan, this is such wonderful news! A definite and resounding answer to prayer. I look forward with you to December 13th. I know you will be so happy to have that step behind you.
Julia,
The results were negative for cancer. Thank God and the prayers of good friends like you.
I am on a med that will shrink the prostate and am scheduled for catheter removal in Dec. If all goes well, will be hopefully out of it for good.
Hang in there on your challenge too. You’ve been on my prayer list since we met a long time ago. You are my first follower.
God bless to you and the family for all good things going forward.
fondly,
Alan
Alan, I was so happy to read this news. I checked for it much earlier but did not have time to respond until now. I am thankful for you and will continue to pray that all goes well for you!
Thanks Julia.
-Alan