• AnchorFm

There is generally a reason I am awake before my alarm. I say alarm in the singular. I have gone back to using an alarm clock, rather than phone alarm/s, to help my brain switch of thoroughly at night. It is making a difference.

Why I WakeUp Before My Alarm

I might wake up earlier than planned, because:

• I am thirsty.
• I’ve experienced recent stress.
• Exterior noise.
• Temperature.
• Have been too active cognitively.
• Or have been out (which often isn’t often and causes its own problems of payback and over stimulation for my sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system). Rest, unsurprisingly is vital.
• My doggo is restless.
• Or the MEcfs is just deciding to give me a bashing with any number of its joyous handouts.

Reading all that is a wonder I ever sleep at all!

Breakfast

My lovely husband always brings refreshing cool drinks upstairs for me in the morning, on his working or non-working days (he’s a star), so that for me negotiating stairs can be delayed for as long as possible. Or totally for the day, if the MEcfs is flaring badly.

I always have breakfast upstairs in bed and have a little breakfast station up here. So that is enjoyable to wake up to. And I am always grateful. We continue to deliberate over having a small fridge upstairs.

Another Reason

There can also be another reason why I am awake earlier than usual. There is something on my mind or put on my heart to pray about. Or to just take the opportunity to pray. My prayers may just involve meditating on name. One could argue that the scenario of need is unceasing, which is very true. Praying before sleep, helps me sleep. But I do feel that I get the nudge. Today is one of those days.

Today is Pentecost!

I remember the moment while reading scripture in my NIV given to me on my baptism, when I realised that the tower of babel was overturned at Pentecost. To my understanding, it was a complete reversal. From man’s desire to become like God, building a tower as close to heaven as possible and God confounding that, with their ability to communicate their hunger for power dispersed. See Genesis 11.

To the complete contrast of the disciples being sent out in the Power of the Holy Spirit to spread the good news, being understood in any and every language by every person they met that – He Lives! A statement that the old has passed and we move into newness of life.

John 14: 15-17 NIV

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth.The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you

It was confirmation of the promise ‘I will send another helper’.

John 14: 25-27 NIV

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

I know that many may find this difficult to comprehend, or may not want to. But I know how I am helped by the helper, the comforter. Even when I cannot express how or what I want to say in prayer, there is an intercessor doing it on my behalf.

Romans 8:26 New Living Translation

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.

Letting Go

I know I wouldn’t cope with MEcfs without faith, as opposed to religion. So beautifully expressed by John Sentamu on the Beeb this weekend. I was a seasoned doer for years. When my health collapsed I had nothing to identify myself with. I thought my faith, my life, being a functioning parent, was on the scrapheap. I was so used to doing, striving in my own strength.

Not fully comprehending that letting go would change my life. With the onset of MEcfs I had no choice other than to let go. My choices were unceremoniously ripped from my grasp. All of them. Including speech. *I can speak now.

How wrong had I been. In 18 years of being basically homebound. I have grown in relationship with Christ and the peace that brings, and now really know how much I am loved, known, forgiven, loved not for my works, but for my relationship. By being in relationship. It is hard to put it into words.

There were nights that I would will each hour to pass, to just get through it, longing for the dawn. God was with me for every second on that clock that dragged itself through the night which I would so often dread. With my husband when also awake grasping my hand, willing me along.

Thankful

Today I give thanks for the comforter, the helper, the intercessor. For faith in Christ. That I, humble me, can have communication with God in such a personal and intimate way. Knowing that I am heard, never ignored or turned away. I am forever blessed, I am forever loved.

1 Peter 1:3-4 New International Version

Praise to God for a Living Hope 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,

Happy Pentecost

May you know His eternal love!

Have a blessed day⚘

_{Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.}

_{Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.}