12-Jan-2012
Kim Robinson
Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness 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.
My husband Paul is a REAL morning person. He loves waking up, feeling alive, the exhilaration that comes from a hot steamy shower, and the excitement of not knowing what the day will bring.
I, on the other hand, am NOT a morning person – never have been. I prefer the silent stillness of the house to envelope me as I step out of bed. I love to start the day at my prayer bench in conversation with the Lord – His voice is oh so quiet, even when He is persistent in getting my attention.
Not so with Paul, who immediately wants to greet me with a kiss and cheery “Good morning!”, and if he’s really feeling energetic he likes to shake the water out of his wet hair on me…and the floor, the bed, any nearby furniture. As much as I love my husband, the sound of his voice trying to talk to me before I am truly awake and have my morning coffee brings out the crabbiness that lurks just beneath the surface.
Paul’s particularly lively attempts to talk with me one morning so irritated me that I blurted out, “You are REALLY annoying me!” – loudly, of course, so he wouldn’t miss my point. He paused for a moment before replying sweetly, “Well, you’re not annoying me!!”
His gracious response to my rudeness made me think of my devotional scripture for the day about loving-kindness in the morning. I realized that my uncharitable behavior in the mornings reflects the exact opposite of a Christian attitude, especially from a wife to her husband.
Paul’s kind words to me were God’s gentle reminder that I am to strive to be like Christ in all my relationships. I should behave in a way that doesn’t annoy but encourages harmony.
I’m still not a morning person, but by God’s grace and Paul’s patience I’m more pleasant now – who knows, with a few more months of practice I may call out my own cheery “Good morning!” soon.
Kim Robinson is an author living in Austin, TX. She and her husband have six children and fourteen grandchildren and enjoy spending time with family. Passionate about parenting, she writes and speaks about a variety of issues facing parents and professionals dealing with teenagers in crisis. She enjoys speaking at retreats and to various organizations.
Kim's debut novel, Chased by Grace - A Story of Survival, is available now