God use my hands to serve, my feet to go, my eyes to see, my ears to listen, my mouth to speak, and my heart to love. Dear God, use all of me. ~The cry of my heart this weekend

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Monday morning has made it's way 'round again. We chug our coffee to take the edge off the morning. Our prayers are silent pleas for strength. Maybe, we dance because we're finally doing what we love, or we are celebrating blue skies after a long stormy night. Whether you're facing joy or pain, Mondays are not always the most favored day of the week.

 I'm tempted to label it "just another Monday". Oh so tempted. It would be easy to write this day off as a typical Monday, singing the Monday blues. But today I can't.

What stops me?

One little fact. There are fifty two Mondays in a year. Do I really want to lose fifty-two days of my life because they're Mondays.

Of course not.

This weekend I was thinking about being used by God. You know that's applicable to Monday mornings.

 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1, emphasis mine).

It's takes effort and intention, Ladies and Gents, especially on Monday mornings. You will not wake up with a selfless, sacrificial attitude, at least not most of us. The flesh is selfish, not easily self-sacrificing.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13).

Let's not forfeit life by not serving God with our all.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Your hands? Pick up, hold, and nurture.
Your feet? Go after, and run hard.
Your eyes? See the need, and the person behind the hurt.
Your ears? Listen to what's being said and what's not.
Your mouth? Speak with discernment and direction.
Your heart? Open wide, love the Lord, and love people.

Easy? Right. More like, uncomfortable.

Are we willing to pick up your cross and follow Him?

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).

Hard stuff. I know. Praying for each of you today.

In His Name,
Jennifer