HEALTHY HABITSâ—½ YOU
Morning and Night
by Marcy Lytle
We have been reading again the story of creation and how after each day of God’s handiwork coming into existence, he said it was “good.” Morning and evening were another day and each work’s activities were good. I thought about routines that we perform mornings and evenings also set the tone for our days, and whether they turn out good…or not. Healthy…or unhealthy.
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Morning:
Waking up with a grateful heart and voicing our thanks to God as we see the sun peek through the blinds is paramount to having a good day. We get up with a spring instead of a limp.
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Washing our faces with cold water sends that burst of awakening our senses to a new day, a fresh start, that cleanses and brightens the image others see when we enter the room. A fresh face and bold and open eyes set the atmosphere for a good day with others. We put our best face forward, so to speak.
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Those bites we savor before we get busy are important. When they are full of fruit and nuts and grains and healthy goodness, we feel good and full and whole. When we aren’t rushed but can sit down with a family member and savor each bite, the day is even better, rather than being hurried or stressed and bothered. We take time to enjoy his bounty.
The clothes we wear make us feel put together on the outside, but often reflect how we feel on the inside. Finding the bright colors, the accessories, the cute shoes and the perfect bag gives us confidence to face the good day before us.
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Pausing to pray for the day ahead, for the others around us, for opportunities to shine His light, and for peace among the chaos we’re about to enter gives us (and others) a sense of hope and the ability to face the day expecting His goodness to follow us all day long.
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Night:
A good cleanser for that same face we washed this morning, the one that braved the elements of wind and dirt and rain today, makes us feel completely wonderful before our heads hit the pillow. A good cleanser makes for a good night.
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Time to unwind and read the Word or listen to music soothes our weary souls from the hard work, the disappointments, the hard things, and the worries that may have seeped through the cracks…and the truth sets us free to sleep without fear. A good way to end the day.
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Fresh linens on our beds and comfy pillows ensure that we are tucked and comfortable and breathing and dreaming as we drift off to sleep. Maybe it’s time to get new bed sheets or covers! Make our beds a good place to lay…
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What about what we wear to bed? There’s nothing sweeter than pulling out cute pj’s, comfy and cozy nightwear, something that’s pretty and makes us feel pretty and loved. There are lots of cute sets to be found on the racks at the discount stores. Pull them out with pleasure, and wear them with a smile, as you end your good day.
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Finally, words of affirmation to your spouse, to yourself, or ones you hear from Him, before you fall sleep make the good day even better. Tell him/her how much you appreciate them, what you love about them. Tell yourself that you are loved and the apple of His eye. And tell Him you love Him, and hear his voice resound with a sweet whisper about how He adores you as well.
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Make each day good from morning til evening, and smile as the goodness of God in your life, every single 24 hours that he gives you and me to breathe, awake, and fall back asleep again in this rhythm he set forth when he created our world.