“Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.” – Psalms 143:8
A fire crackles in the stove as she wakes to a dimly lit room. Her children still nestled in their beds. She thanks the good Lord for another day of health and life. She places her bare feet upon the cool wooden floor.
The bed now made, she steps into the parlor and picks up her Bible. She reads a few passages as she gently glides back and forth in her rocking chair. A soft creek of the chair and the crackling of the fire make a tune.
She whispers prayers of praise and thanksgiving, with hopes of a good productive day. And then, her morning work begins.
Tidying the parlor, wiping the table and cleaning a few dishes left over night. An aroma of butter fills the air as she begins to cook breakfast. Eggs and sausage popping in the cast iron skillet makes the home feel alive.
A pitter patter of little feet come running down the hall. Grins and “good mornings” are exchanged along with a hug or two.
The table is set and Mother says grace before the children begin to enjoy their delicious breakfast. Some barely nibble while others can’t get enough.
With the home now awake, the day seems bright and positive. The homemaker knows that the morning is the most important time because it sets the tone for the rest of the day.
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Mornings are a very important start to our day. If the morning doesn’t go well, it’s usually a foretelling of how the rest of your day will go. This is not always the case of course but much of the time it is.
“Morning is an important time of day, because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have.” – Lemony Snicket
* Mornings are the perfect time to fix your bed and get your bedroom in order before leaving it for most of the day. It’s always a wonderful feeling to come back to your bedroom after a long, possibly stressful day and see that everything is tidy and waiting for you to sink into the sheets and rest.
“The morning was full of sunlight and hope.” – Kate Chopin
* Mornings are a great time to Study God’s word and spend a few moments in prayer. There is no better way to get your thoughts in their rightful places than by taking them to the Lord.
“Nobody ever outgrows Scripture; the book widens and deepens with our years.” – Charles Spurgeon
* Mornings are also a good time for straightening up the parlor and kitchen. You may have tidied things up the night before but it doesn’t hurt to take another look and see if there’s anything that needs to be put away, cleaned or wiped down. You never know when company will come a callin’ and it never hurts to be prepared with a tidy home.
If your home has little ones, it can be especially difficult to keep things in their rightful places. This time of little helpers rearranging your belongings with toys scattered about will one day pass (all too quickly).
“I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” – Charles Dickens
So, give yourself, and your children, grace if your home isn’t as clean and spotless as you would like. And try not to be discouraged when you put something away for what feels like the hundredth time that day. You will miss these days more than you know.
(I write this as a reminder for myself as well as for you, dear reader)
This homemaker hopes you were encouraged with todays read. May your home be warm and cozy during these winter months and never forget to give yourself grace.
Much love,
Hollie Yang
Home Sweet Cottage 