Early

A cramp seized the atrophied calf muscle as I turned to the other side. Wide awake then, my mind turned to prayers of thanks for the warmth of the bed, the freshness of the chilled bedroom air and the gift of another breath. Thoughts wandered to the cast iron stove and its remaining embers. Wide awake then, I slowly emerged from beneath the covers to insert my feet into the waiting slippers lying near the bed. Grasping glasses from the night table and pulling the hooded sweatshirt over my head and down my chilling body, I was up for the day. The clock on the kitchen stove read 4:37. I was awake far earlier than the norm, but nonetheless wide awake. Engaging the normal routine of letting the dog out for a run and consuming the daily dose of thyroid replenishment, I gave the wood stove a stir and fed its hunger for more fuel to burn. In the quiet of the chilled morning with the retriever curled beside my chair, I sit in awe of God’s provision and begin my time of prayer for others and their needs. Soon the day will unfold with opportunities for tasks that seem to be calling. This quiet time has been one of refueling. May your hunger be satiated by a feast of gratitude spread generously over your table of life!