Unprepared...

On Monday after a busy day at the office, I made my trek to the grocery store.  However, I did not have my reusable bags, I did not have my coupons or even my grocery list.  I knew that we needed many things, but I just wasn't sure what...

I retrieved my cart and stood on the first isle.  People were whizzing by me, on a mission.  Everyone knew exactly what they needed, except me.  I was unprepared.  I began and picked up a package of Kit Kats and Reese Cups, then chips, ice cream and sugary cereal.  I made my way to the meat section and thought...what should we have for dinner each night?  People made their way in front of me, eager to retrieve what they needed and make their way back home to their families.  I settled on a frozen pizza and a package of hot dogs.

My family suffered because I was unprepared for my grocery store trip.  Sure, I provided food for them, they will surely not starve on their ice cream, sugary cereal and kit kat's. However, I did not make the best choice for them.  If I had been prepared, I would have clipped my coupons, made my list and taken inventory of what was already in our pantry prior to my grocery store endeavor.

The same thing happens when I am not prepared for my day.

I know that the best thing that I can do in the morning is to spend my time with God, first thing in the morning.

"We must exchange whispers with God before shouts with the world."

--Lysa TerKuerst

I know that I am like a sponge.  Whatever is placed in me first thing in the morning will be squeezed out throughout the day.  When I look at my bank account, my facebook account or even my Pinterest  account before having my quiet time alone with God, I know that I will find myself more anxious and emotional throughout the day.  I find that I will make quick decisions, that will negatively affect me as I go throughout the day.

However, when I take the time to prepare for my day, to have the quiet conversations with God and to read his word, I can expect that my sponge will overflow with the love of my Heavenly Father.  I can expect that I will be slow to anger and slow to speak and that His love may be able to drip down onto those around me.

So, I strive to stay away from picking up my phone until my devotion is done.  So, that God and I can have the quality time together that we need...Otherwise, I may look like a porky pine when the day is over...covered in quills.