Dawn's New Day

"...he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain..." (2 Samuel 23:4)

Squinting the red, LED numbers into focus I pulled up the covers in frustration knowing there were at least six hours left to my slumber. Hour after hour, hard as I tried to bury myself deeper into my pillow, sleep still evaded me. My mind raced to the side of old fears. My mind wandered to thoughts that God and I had once resolved. I was restless and exhausted trying to figure out why I was battling with these thoughts again.

Soon, daybreak overwhelmed me and so did my prickly mood. Instead of sending my husband off to work with a kiss, I met his cheek with a grumble and stubbornly stayed wrapped in my covers of uneasy melancholy. Although I crawled out from them a while later and busied myself with my "to do" list my heart still felt heavy, uneasy, troubled. I just wanted to shake it off like a dog after a bath and dry off in the Sonshine. Each time I tried it seemed my efforts were thwarted by yet another reason to continue wearing a thick, syrupy, unwanted cloak of discontent.

Then, in the middle of the day, after finally accomplishing the simple task of sending out press releases for my Big E appearance with my book, "Auntie's House," I received an email from heaven! I received an invitation from a local network television producer to join her on her morning news show! My heart did the "happy dance" and I sent up a "Thank-you, Lord!" And yet, as soon as that gift came, my heart was covered in that thick syrupy cloak of discontent, again!

By evening, I threw up my hands and went to sulk by the pool. I watched the sun set behind the trees and felt my joy being swallowed like a bug in the mouth of the bats at dusk. "What's up with this, Lord?" I cried. Why can't I hang onto that joy you gave me? What's warring inside of me and why? With no clear answers, chalking it up as "one of those days," I retired early, praying for rest, hoping for a new day.

I woke the next morning, again before the alarm. This time it was already daybreak. I felt beckoned not tormented but I still craved my sleep. My body still reeling from the day before, I groggily asked, "God, are you waking me this morning?"

"Yes."

"Can I have just ten more minutes, please? I'm so tired."

"Yes. But, only ten!"

So, I closed my eyes and God woke me again, exactly ten minutes later. "Okay. I'm awake, God. Can I make myself a cup of coffee?"

"No. You can make yourself a cup of tea." (He knows me so well! When I drink coffee I can't sit still for very long)!

I quietly snuck downstairs to the kitchen, made my tea and tip-toed upstairs behind the door of my sanctuary. There I sat, sipping my tea and reading my Bible where I left off the day before. Nothing really struck me as I read. I wondered if I had just been talking to myself a few minutes ago in bed.

But, God assured me in his whisper, "No, it was me. I've called you out of slumber. Yesterday was a battle brought on from your Enemy to rob you of your joy. Today is a new beginning. I've called you into a new day to reclaim your joy...the joy of the gift of heaven. "

And, He brought me to this verse:

" 'When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after the rain that brings the grass from the earth.'

Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?" (2 Samuel 23:3b-5)

Although this message was from God to King David, He used it to speak joy back into my heart. Yesterday was an attempt of my Enemy (Satan) to rob me of the joy God gave me...a desire of my heart come to pass by God's doing. If God hadn't gently called me out of my bed this morning, I would have never known and probably would still be wrapped in melancholy today.

Today is Dawn's New Day! It's secured by God's promise that He is my hope, my salvation, my joy and the great Giver of gifts. He delights in me and entrusts me with His message of hope and encouragement to those who will listen.