Starting The Day With Graitude

I woke up cranky this morning. My throat and left ear hurt, a result of either the gusting, pollen-filled wind or a family cold making its rounds. My little dog is still healing from surgery, so I am nursing him and constantly keeping him from licking his stitches (hello, cone of shame). And for the third day in a row, I am working on our taxes. Really complicated taxes that I don’t understand or really wish to understand. And yes, we have an accountant. Turns out you can’t just give them a shoebox full of receipts and bank ledgers. You have to actually organize your stuff for them. *Long sigh* It was with this fussy spirit that I took my little dog to the backyard to do his business. I normally just push him out the door and then let him back in when he barks, but since I am on nurse duty today I went outside with him. As the dog was walking the fenceline, I woke up for the first time to the actual world around me. The sun was shining. A light wind was blowing. Off in the distance, I could hear a woodpecker pecking. All of a sudden this hymn I sang every Sunday as a child sprang to my lips and changed the tone of my heart. It was if the praise of the woodpecker woke me up to my own need to praise our Creator. After a little searching, I found the full lyrics to this hymn by Thomas Ken. I hope they bless you as they did me.

Awake, my soul, and with the sun Thy daily stage of duty run; Shake off dull sloth, and joyful rise, To pay thy morning sacrifice. Thy precious time misspent, redeem, Each present day thy last esteem, Improve thy talent with due care; For the great day thyself prepare. By influence of the Light divine Let thy own light to others shine. Reflect all Heaven’s propitious ways In ardent love, and cheerful praise. In conversation be sincere; Keep conscience as the noontide clear; Think how all seeing God thy ways And all thy secret thoughts surveys. Wake, and lift up thyself, my heart, And with the angels bear thy part, Who all night long unwearied sing High praise to the eternal King. All praise to Thee, who safe has kept And hast refreshed me while I slept Grant, Lord, when I from death shall wake I may of endless light partake. Heav’n is, dear Lord, where’er Thou art, O never then from me depart; For to my soul ’tis hell to be But for one moment void of Thee. Lord, I my vows to Thee renew; Disperse my sins as morning dew. Guard my first springs of thought and will, And with Thyself my spirit fill. Direct, control, suggest, this day, All I design, or do, or say, That all my powers, with all their might, In Thy sole glory may unite. I would not wake nor rise again And Heaven itself I would disdain, Wert Thou not there to be enjoyed, And I in hymns to be employed. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.