Rise and Shine

I have a tendency to sing songs to wake people up in the morning. If you have ever been on a youth trip with me...or really maybe any trip...you know that I sing songs about "morning goodness" to gently awaken young sleeping eyes.

Sidenote...apparently this tradition has passed itself along to my husband who, while preparing for his days at work this week, has decided to (quite loudly) go through his mental songbook of worship songs from 1997. The list includes Shine Jesus Shine, Shout to the Lord, and This is the Air I Breathe.

I digress.

I decided to start the morning off the other day with the oldie but goodie "Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory Glory!!" When I was little, my mom used to come into our rooms and, with some magical flip of the wrist, simultaneously sing, clap, and flip up the retractable curtains on our giant windows revealing the sunlight in all of its 7am glory! I am now supposing that this is where I learned my tendencies.

"Rise and Shine and give God the glory glory! Rise and Shine and give God the glory glory! Rise and Shine and (pause for dramatic effect and insert clap) GIVE GOD THE GLORY GLORY, children of the Lord!!"

When being awakened by someone flipping open curtains and sing/shouting loudly in your comfortable nest of sleepy sweetness...I suppose it is easy to not take those words to heart. I actually suppose it is even easier to hate that song more than one might hate stepping in gum with your brand new tennis shoes on a balmy 104 degree day.

But, I forget that the simple reminders of how to start a day might just be that.

Simple.

Get up. Let your light shine for all men to see....that the glory belongs to God. And don't forget, child....you are a part of this family and loved.

So, Rise and Shine.