Wake up, rise and shine!

Identical to a thousand mornings before, my day began by heading downstairs to let our furry friend out for his daily sunrise tour of our backyard. It is always a dilemma whether this is necessary prior to or following my standing date with our Keurig!

The similarities changed as I rounded the corner of our winding staircase and stopped dead in my tracks by the unbelievable sight before my eyes; our main entrance was open!!

My brain kicked into reverse as I backed my way up the stairs, saying with forced calm, “Babe, have you been downstairs yet?” His answer confirmed my fear.

“The front door is open!” I breathlessly told him as I gathered around our three children. He, with the help of our large labradoodle, courageously headed off to investigate.

That’s when I remembered.

Our then six-year-old daughter is a sleepwalker (usually limited to the main floor), but early that morning I had been awakened by her frightened whimpers. I immediately called out to her, finding it odd, even in my drowsy state, that her footfalls sounded up our stairs before feeling her little arms and legs wrap around me. I kissed her forehead and whispered reassurance as I took in the glaring lights on my nightstand – 1:00 in the morning.

For nearly seven hours, our home was unguarded while we slept, and our little girl could have wandered off into the dark of night if I hadn’t been awakened by her cry. Asleep, she heard my call and followed the sound of her mother’s voice.

Hubs installed a chain high on our door that day. I always thought they were meant to keep people out, not in!

This mama’s heart had a difficult time staying away from all the “what ifs” of that whole scenario. So grateful the safety of our home doesn’t come from a lock or a steel door but the protection of a heavenly Father who is always watching over His children.

 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Romans 13:11-12

Is there anything in our lives right now that has us sleepwalking into danger? Bitterness, jealousy, impatience, pride, anger, fear… and worse. They reside in the shadows of our hearts so subtly sometimes we don’t even realize they exist let alone spread within us.

Until we hear Him call out, “Beloved, come back to me!”

“But everything exposed by the light becomes visible – and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live – not unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:13-17

Earth orbits the sun while continually rotating. Each rotation is a twenty-four-hour period that consists of light (day) and dark (night). We have daylight hours while facing the sun and darkness as we rotate away from its brightness and warmth. That’s all night is – the absence of light.

If we allow the Son to set in our life, darkness rises with the slow fade of His light.

Doesn’t this illustrate the Christian life well? When we face our Father, we stand illuminated in His light, but the darkness is waiting, hungry to fill the void when we move away from Him.

Every decision rotates us in one of two directions; towards or away from God – there is no neutral ground. Our children walk in our sunbeam for a short while but at some point, they all arrive at a crossroads where the choice will be theirs alone.

May they witness our reliance on Jesus so when facing their own battles, they will instinctively know what to do; turn towards the Son!

Don’t delay another moment sweet one; wake up, rise and shine! Turn back to the safety and comfort of our Father’s arms so we can reflect His light to a world sleepwalking perilously into the night.

Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world…”

Shine bright, sweet sister!

XO, Heidi