Each Day a Gift

By: Jenifer Metzger

I have never been a morning person. In fact, getting out of bed every morning is quite the struggle. Unfortunately, growing up my kids felt the same.

Every morning it was like pulling teeth to get my kids to stir from their peaceful slumber. Even after getting ready for the day, they would arrive at the breakfast table still groggy, and sometimes even a little cranky.

While I understood my children's dislike for mornings, I wanted them to understand that each new day was a gift from God. Truth is, I wanted to remember myself.

We began a new morning ritual. Something to remind us of God's gift. Something I pray would always shape their days.

This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Before breakfast, we would all say Psalm 118:24. After only a a week or two, they all had the verse memorized.

Did it magically make my kids wake up easier in the morning? No. Did it make me wake up easier? No. Did it make our days perfect? No. But it did remind us that the day was from God. No matter how tired we were, how much we wanted to sleep in, or how cranky we may be, the day was still a gift from God and it belonged to Him.

Whether you or your kids are struggling to get your days going or you just want the reminder that each day is a gift, I challenge you to memorize Psalm 118:24 and recite it every morning. Remind yourself of His precious gift and rejoice in it.

Discussion:
1. Are mornings a struggle for you and/or your kids?
2. What are ways you remind yourself/your kids that God gave each new day as a gift?