Sometimes God Answers Prayers, Immediately!
Lately I've been struggling to get back into a regular routine of waking up early and getting chores and work done since I've been on a very long "holiday". I resigned from my previous job in December so I've been jobless for almost a year now. Although I was on a tight schedule during my training courses in the first half of the year and during summer school in August, I still had a long period of freedom before starting work again this week.
My new job will have an irregular schedule as courses will start and end, people will cancel classes or move them and I'll have gaps here and there as well as some entire days without work. For a few months at a time I will probably have the same schedule for the most part before the switch overs when new courses start. And so on it will go from now on...
This week it was off to work for the first time since December and I must say that it went quite well! I enjoyed it and am looking forward to this new life as a teacher. The only thing I battle with as a result of all this free time I've had, is waking up early in the morning when I only have to work in the late afternoon. I wake up, go to the bathroom, then just return to my bed and sleep half the day away. I hate that. I get so angry with myself when I wake up and it's almost lunch time!
I do enjoy my sleep, lazing in bed, dreaming, but I must say that I also know what it's like waking up at 5.30 when everybody else is sleeping and you have quiet time to yourself and can get things done. It's cool and refreshing outside too and the birds wake up and sing glorious songs at that time of the day. They are always singing, but later the noise of the world blocks that all out.
The other day I had a revelation. I set my alarm real early as I usually do. I went to the bathroom and then started arguing with myself about whether or not I should return to bed. I decided to pray about it and read the Bible. This is what I do when I am in conflict with myself - and this happens quite often believe it or not!
So I sat on my bed and opened my Bible randomly as I often do and my eyes fell on Proverbs 24.
As in all the Proverbs there are many beautiful verses and such powerful truths that I really enjoyed reading it, here are a few such verses from Proverbs 24
Pro 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Pro 24:18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
Pro 24:19 Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Pro 24:20 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.
Although I enjoyed reading these verses, something took me by surprise, it was right at the end...
Pro 24:30 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
Pro 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
Pro 24:32 Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction.
Pro 24:33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
Pro 24:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that traveleth; and thy want as an armed man.
God answered my question! Right after my prayer, I randomly opened my Bible to reveal His answer to my prayer, what an AWESOME GOD!
Here is another verse that reflects this same idea in Proverbs 31:
Pro 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Pro 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Pro 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Pro 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Pro 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Pro 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Pro 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Pro 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Pro 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
I believe that God wants us to rise early, get things done, keep busy and do it all to His Glory, with smiles on our faces. I believe that He wants us to take good care of our homes and families. I doubt He is pleased when we are lazy and grumpy about our chores and waking up in the morning. I think He is glad, very glad, when we wake up early and dedicate that time to Him. Before anything else, just spend time with our heavenly Father. I think that when we make time for God first, He will make sure we have time for everything else.
I believe that our job is to put God first and He will bring everything else together.
I have been trying to implement this daily since I read that verse in Proverbs 24. I try to read my Bible first thing in the morning and as the last thing I do before I sleep at night. I still struggle with waking up in the mornings, but I read my Bible early... even though I sometimes go back to bed afterwards.
I'm obviously not where I want to be or should be, but I'm working on it. One of the main reasons why I cannot wake up properly in the mornings is that I go to sleep way too late some nights. I don't have a regular sleeping pattern, when I have to work the next day I might go to bed anytime between 11pm and 1am. When I don't have to work the next day I might even stay up till 3 in the morning! I have learned that it's not healthy for the body to have such irregular sleeping patterns and that our bodies respond best to routine, like a rhythm. And I know it's true because I've managed to go to bed at the same time every day for quite some time a few years ago and my body worked like clockwork! I'd wake up naturally at 6am and be back in bed by 10pm. Is it a coincidence that I was also much healthier then than I am now? Maybe not.
I now know what God wants from me in this regard and I must try my best to implement it daily. It has been a lifelong struggle of mine, this waking up business. I really don't like waking up late, I only like sleeping more! I enjoy being awake early in the morning, but hate getting out of bed. If I stay in bed I fall asleep. It's a vicious cycle and I must make a concious decision to get up and get going even if I don't have to go to work that day. Getting things done around the house early in the morning is so rewarding! You gain all those hours during the rest of the day where you can do some hobbies or exercise or whatever it is that interests you!
I just have to convince myself of that every morning as I lie in bed with the alarm clock ringing...
Psa 25:4 Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Psa 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psa 25:6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
Psa 25:7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.
Psa 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
Psa 25:9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
Psa 25:10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
Psa 25:11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
I hope to apply what I've read, get to bed at a decent hour every night and wake up at the same time every day. Read my Bible when I wake and before sleeping so that my mind is in the right place before I start the day or lie down to rest.
Image Credits: Barry's Clipart Server
- When do you go to bed at night?
- What time do you wake up in the mornings?