glory

Is the beauty of my today being robbed by the ugly of my yesterday? I recently read in the Magnificat a quote that has meant a great deal to me: “Every morning we arise afresh in Christ our Light. Ancient Christian writers warn against ‘morning demons’: yesterday’s worries and grievances returning to poison the new day.”

How can I keep these “morning demons” at bay, these “poisoners” of the present moment? How can I start each new day afresh and anew in the Light of Christ?

Let’s consider the Morning Glory and see what we can draw from its joyous message:

1. It opens first thing in the morning, bright and full-faced, turned towards the sun. Due to its white trumpet neck and richly colored bell, it almost glows from within. It gives great glory to God upon it’s awakening. It unfurls and bursts forth with gentle zeal. What a perfect picture for us. Can we, upon our awakening, look to God with our full face and say, “I praise You and thank You God for this NEW DAY, this FRESH START. Make me glow for You today?” Can we begin each day in Him and for Him?

“I will wake the dawn. I will praise you among the peoples, Lord; I will chant your praise among the nations. For your mercy towers to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” Psalm 157:9-11

2. Each Morning Glory flower only lasts for one day. As intensely beautiful as it is, in all of its rich blues, purples, pinks, and even yellows, it only blossoms for a very short time, but in its God-given, brief lifetime, it truly goes “all out”. In what other life are we going to go “all out?” What if we allowed it to actually sink in that this new day may bring with it our “one shot” at something? Would it change the intensity with which we bloomed? Would our lives be a more flamboyant shade of joy? Could we let go of hurts and worries of the past, things that rob of us of our “color” to blossom in a richer, fuller pigment for today?

“... whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

3. Its leaves are an irresistible heart shape. Even the non-showy part of this happy harold of the new dawn says, “Start each day with love.” It is as if the bright flower is framed in a garland of tiny, secret love notes, quietly spreading the message of charity everywhere it creeps. If I were to start each day with the intention that every “leaf” that I produced were to be “heart shaped”-- all that I did, every little act, even the ones that go “unnoticed and unthanked” by man (or child) --were done with the purpose of pleasing God, spreading His love, how differently would I live my day? What deeper purpose would it bring to my life were I to determine to wake up, get up and cover the earth with “heart shaped leaves”... acts of love?

“And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.” Colossians 3:14

My prayer is that today and everyday we will not be robbed or poisoned by our past or even our present circumstances, but that we will make the very best of what we have, right here, right now and that we will do everything in the power and strength of God, to His great glory.

“The thought of my wretched homelessness is wormwood and poison; Remembering it over and over, my soul is downcast. But this I will call to mind; therefore I will hope: The LORD’s acts of mercy are not exhausted, his compassion is not spent; They are renewed each morning—great is your faithfulness! The LORD is my portion, I tell myself, therefore I will hope in him. Lamentations 3:19-24

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You are my portion and in You alone I can hope and trust! This gives me great reason to rise and shine, to praise You, and in Your strength to love others. Please give to me all that I need today to live for You and your great glory. Help me to not dwell in the past, nor to be poisoned by it in any manner, but to bloom brightly for You in this present moment and to look forward to a glorious future, where you live and reign for ever and ever.

I ask this in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Want to grow Morning Glories? They are a beautiful “Heavenly Blue” and great reminder of His amazing, glorious love each day!

http://www.edenbrothers.com/store/morning_glory_heavenlyblue_seeds.html