{Be Real} Fight the Frenzy.

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It’s an old worn chair, one I bought for $20 at a thrift store years ago. But it always sits in the corner of my bedroom, covered in blankets of all colors, surrounded by books and bible studies, lit a tiny desk lamp.

And it’s where my days have been starting lately. 

First you should know. I’m the worst morning person. For most of my life, I have struggled to get out of bed in the mornings. I sleep until the last possible moment. I’m not coherent enough to make good decisions that early.

But my life has been so on-the-go lately. We talked about his last month, the need for self-discipline and balance. I felt like I always running from one thing to the next.

I’ve traveled a lot of the past few months and I honestly felt like I had no space to breathe, no time to reflect, no time to re-center.

And when life is so full, it can sometimes feel cramped, bloated with a lot of unnecessary things. With stuff that chokes out the good, like time with God or moments to hear His voice.

So my first day back from all of my trips, I set my alarm for 5:30 am. 

I woke up and headed straight for that chair. I opened my bible and read. I wrote out verses and I talked to God.

And I started with gratitude. 

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. Psalm 9:1

I told Him all the things I was thankful for, all the ways I feel so blessed. The little things. The big things. The things I didn’t want to be thankful for.

Friends. This has been a game-changer.

Most days, it feels like life yanks us around instead of us being in control of our moments and time. We’re at the mercy of our schedules and our duties and our commitments. Soon, we’re overwhelmed, too tired to do anything but zone out on mindless activities or fall into bed to do it all again the next day.

But can I tell you how life-giving it has been to start the day intentionally? I have a specific space and I have specific rituals. I retreat to that space, before the world is awake, before the sun is awake, before I feel the pressure to accomplish anything.

I say thank you. I let my heart rest. I enjoy His presence. 

My day gets kicked off with a dose of peace instead of chaos. I walk into my day with a calm heart rather than a frenzied mind. Instead of focusing on all that’s gone wrong or things that could be better, I have all of this goodness already flowing from somewhere deep within me.

This is how I’m fighting the frenzy.

And you know what? My heart is more open. To people. To opportunities to love and serve. To the little moments to stop and breathe. I’m just more present.

My heart feels grounded. 

Dear girls, find that space for you. Be intentional with your time. Be specific about when and where and what you do to bring your heart back to a place of peace and calm and gratitude. Envision it in your head, all the details.

Then show up there. Every day. Even if it’s just a few moments. Set aside distractions and allow your heart to overflow with gratefulness.

It changes everything. I promise.

This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24