Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 – For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing. (NRSV)

One of the great fascinations of visiting my grandparents was the wonder of listening each morning to their budgie sing! Then — a miracle to us kids — the budgie would very clearly say, "Six o'clock, time to get up!" Even we kids found this enough reason to be awake at that early hour!

"I have retired, but if there's anything that would kill me, it is to wake up in the morning not knowing what to do." Nelson Mandela said these words after a lifetime of being busy from morning till night, according to Zelda la Grange, who wrote his memoir with the great title, "Good Morning, Mr. Mandela: A Memoir Paperback".

There is a time and purpose for each of us to greet the dawn and begin the day that God gives us. Mandela knew that he had a vision to fulfill, and it would take his entire day, every day, to achieve it. He once said, "Action without vision is only passing time. Vision without action is merely daydreaming. Vision with action can change the world."

It's time to get up and start the day. This is your great opportunity to change the world, at least the part of it that your life will touch today! Let your morning prayer be that God will guide you through the unfolding day.

Prayer: Dear Lord, so far I've done all right. I haven't gossiped, haven't lost my temper, and haven't been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm really glad about that. But in a few minutes, God, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on, I'm going to need a lot more help. Amen. (Author unknown)

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
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