Thirty Seconds Thursday

When was the last time you paused to acknowledge the fact that you woke up to a day that gave you breath in your lungs and a heart that was beating before you could fumble your way to the bathroom?

I want us to take a moment, just thirty seconds, to thank the Lord for the protection He granted us overnight and the sheer delight of setting our feet on the ground to step into a new day.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
    to sing praises to your name, O Most High; Psalm 92:1 ESV

It’s far too easy to overlook the fact that we have the convenience of a bed, food in our refrigerator, water to quench our thirst and clean clothing — without putting out a lot of effort to reach for those things.

I admit, the feeling of conviction pours over me whenever I realize that I’ve launched into my day without so much as a ‘thank You, Lord.’ But that’s a pivot that I invite you to join me in.

It may take some real conscious effort to make that 180-degree turn to look up before we look out.

Are you willing to come with me and make that change? Does it mean anything to you to acknowledge the GOD of all creation, the Sovereign Lord, the King of Kings — before those emails, texts and messages?

Studies say that the average heart “beats” (expands and contracts) 100,000 times and pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood that goes streaming throughout our bodies. If you’re a visual person like me, imagine an above ground swimming pool with dimensions of 15’X30’X54″ — that container holds 2,000 gallons of water. On average, you take roughly 20,000 breaths per day. Unless maybe you’re swimming around doing several laps in that pool.

And if you think that you’re stagnant while sleeping, many biological processes are happening during that precious sleep time. The brain is storing new information and getting rid of toxic waste. Nerve cells are communicating and reorganizing, which supports healthy brain function. The body is repairing cells, restoring energy, and releasing molecules like hormones and proteins.

¹³ For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
    my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14 ESV

Does any of this ring a few humility bells? It does for me, Friend. And I’m confident that both you and I will benefit from the attitude of gratitude every morning. There’s no better time to start than with tomorrow morning!

Are you in?

“Father GOD, Holy is Your Name and greatly to be praised. You alone are worthy of our worship and adoration. And while we acknowledge that we mistakenly move swiftly into our day without so much as a ‘good morning,’ we know that You continue to remind us that You are near and desire to hear from us, Your children. So, we thank You for touching our hearts and giving us the strength and courage to make this change — to cast our eyes upon You at dawn’s first glance. We love You for Who You are, Father. Draw us to a place of remembrance, praise and thankfulness even if for these tiny thirty seconds. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary