First Things First: Knees

Begin the Day With Power

I heard a Speaker once say that the first thing she does upon awakening is slide straight to the floor to her knees. No coffee yet. (I might die)! No checking her phone yet. No putting her hair into a ponytail and heading to the kitchen yet. (Aw, hungry)! Just. Only. Knees. This Seminar Host begins the day this way, for an appointment with her Creator. It’s not that long.

She says that she is astounded at the difference this has made in her life. Plumbing issue? Without cussing, she will take calm steps to handle it. Disappointment in a friend letting her down? No problem. Electric bill never received, and still charging a late fee? She won’t smack herself in the forehead; she will just serenely take care of it. She knows to Let Go and Let God, especially after her prayer-fortification.

In all my decades, I’ve never prayed first thing in the morning. Why? Impatience. One of my biggest character flaws is rushing into things. It’s the story of my life. Overcommitting, racing around, running myself ragged. I want to blast into my day and start immediately on the endless to-do list. I reason that the sooner I tackle Task #1, the more at peace I’ll feel.

Aaah, but that task-completion peace is fleeting. Because, as we all know…Task #2 is piggybacked onto its friend, Task #1, and thumbing its nose at me. If I want “the peace the world cannot give”, I have to go straight to the Source of it all.

“Prayer is the bath of love into which we plunge our souls.” St. John Vianni

These rug-jutting-into-knees conversations with God are always varied. Some days it’s, “Thank you so much for resolving that.” Other days it’s, “Seriously, Lord? You’re calling me to do WHAT?” Sometimes an aura of love envelops me, and I just cry with gratitude.

God never knows what He’s gonna get!

But what He gives me:

1. Extra wisdom for prickly situations
2. Extra strength for all the day’s hassles
3. Extra perspective for not catastrophizing petty things

Mostly I get extra patience. This is a miracle. Especially with my temper. I am surprised that on these kneeling days, I don’t cuss loudly at my computer glitches, pound my fist on my desk, or toss my laptop into the outside trash can, getting in on top of it and stomping my feet. (Yes, once I did this –luckily that laptop was a cheap one).

My rug-burned knees give me a much cleaner mouth.

I highly recommend First Things First. Every single day. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars. Drop to those knees and watch the day unfold much more beautifully. I promise.

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)