Rise And Shine

Mar 12, 2012

 

“Rise and shine.”

Every morning without fail my mom used to call these words to me as I slept in my cozy bed upstairs. I used to anticipate them when I heard her slippered feet coming down the hall in the early morning. She used to knock lightly on my door and then say them with just the slightest inflection in her voice.

“Rise and shine.”

I remember smiling in spite of myself at the morning ritual. Somehow it made getting up a little bit easier as a child.

Life can be difficult.

Life can present numerous challenges.

But when we focus on ‘rising and shining’ it changes things.

There is something specific we can do. We can get up.

So many folks are practically sleep walking today. Do you know what I mean?

They go from one day to another in a daze like attitude.

Punching the clock.

Grabbing the next meal.

Folding the clothes.

Paying the bills.

But all joy is gone. The sparkle of life missing.

Long ago Jesus spoke to the lame man on the side of the path “Get up. Pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:8)

Powerful words. Penetrating question that gets to the heart of the matter.

 He challenged him to put effort even into his walking by picking up his mat. Obedience.

Belief.

I sense so often that He still whispers to each of us “GET UP.”

He says it to me when my body is weary and I’d much rather curl  up with a good book.

GET UP.

Rise to a world that needs your presence. Rise to a life where you do make a difference.

Rise to a world knowing that you are important.

Rise and shine.

Shine knowing that you are never alone.

Shine knowing that He will strengthen you to live one day at a time.

Shine basking in the incredible wonder that you are deeply loved.

You.

It’s awesome, isn’t it?

Rise and shine today, my friends.

Peace be with you.

 

 

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