As the morning sun peeks over the hill, spilling sunlight into the room, I want to soak in this moment, for I don’t how many more I’ll have.
I take in the scene that is not new to me but is ever so precious.
With my Bible in my lap, I sit on one end of the couch. There on the other end, also with her Bible in her lap, is Mom. Quietly, side by side, we begin our day with Jesus, each practicing the words of David: “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul” (Psalm 143:8).
After a while, a natural conversation begins as we share with each other what we’re learning.
For over 50 years, my mother has begun her day this way, and I have had the privilege of seeing her do so. When she came to know Christ in an intimate way in her mid-30s, she began this practice, building the firm foundation of faith she stands on today. It’s the same discipline she taught me by simply modeling how to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning.
Though my kids are now all grown and have homes of their own, I’m continuing the pattern of modeling what I learned from Mom. When my kids wake on the mornings they’re visiting, they find me in my chair, reading God’s Word and talking to Jesus. Often, my “good morning” greeting as they come down the stairs leads to a conversation about what I’m reading and what Jesus is teaching me that day. We’ll talk about what God is up to and how we see Him at work.
These are my very favorite mornings, when I have the opportunity to live out Psalm 145:4, which says, “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power” (NLT). I cherish these moments with my children, just as I cherish my moments with Mom.
You may not have learned from your mom to make reading and studying God’s Word a daily habit. Maybe your spiritual teachers have been neighbors, friends, Bible study leaders and pastors. Maybe you’ve joined Bible studies, read His Word through an app and memorized Scripture sent by text from a friend. The important thing for each of us is to make the Lord and His Word our priority. God’s Word sets the course for our day, empowering us to live out the day before us while honoring Him.
I’m so grateful for what Mom lived out before me. I see the benefits of poring over God’s Word day after day. Nowadays, when Mom doesn’t feel well or strong, she can shut her eyes, and her heart can recall His words. She can meditate on His Truth because she has hidden it in her heart for years and years, and we can continue our conversations of where we see God working.
I hope Mom and I have many more opportunities to read our Bibles side by side, but even if we don’t, I can rest assured that, as I keep talking to Jesus on earth, Mama will be talking to Jesus face to face.
Jesus, thank You for all of those in our lives who have taught us Your Word and taught us how to study Your Word for ourselves. Bless them. Show us who we can in turn teach as well as proclaim Your power to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
