Alarm sounds.

Roll to the left.

Grab phone. Turn off the alarm. And…. Scroll.

This had become my morning routine. Slowly, I had stopped getting out of bed, waking my children, and making breakfast. As they got older, their independence was a gift to my free time. I heard them in the kitchen, grabbing their own breakfast, and preparing for school. They didn’t need the step-by-step instructions that had filled my morning for so many years.

Even with more time to myself, I felt rushed and annoyed every morning. Running to the car and fussing at the kids was not unusual. After I dropped them off at school, I regretted my behavior and vowed to change the next day, but nothing ever changed.

Last summer, I prepared to give a talk to a group of women; I sat in Adoration asking Jesus to show me what love letter He wanted me to deliver.

Over and over I thought of our Blessed Mother, reaching into the manger to lift Jesus, the Savior of the world. She wasn’t reaching for an alarm or for her phone; she was reaching for Jesus and holding Him close to her. She could feel his warmth, and He could feel her heart. I thought about how my day would look if I reached for Jesus, too.

I asked my husband where the tabernacle of our church would be if I were to face it from my bed. An email (I had been guilty of skimming through) had a prayer called the “Morning Offering” every day. I had never noticed before, but wanted to know more about this beautiful prayer. The Morning Offering began in 1844 by Fr. François-Xavier Gautrelet. The spiritual Father of Jesuit seminarians wanted to encourage them to dedicate their day to the Lord. How beautiful!

My mornings have changed. I waste less precious time in my morning, and I am growing in joy, noticing the sunrise and the roses.

I would love to share this with you!

Click HERE for a 4×6 version to print out.

Click HERE to download a wallpaper for your phone.