Morning prayer

My sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Scafidi, told us once that she started each day with a simple prayer and I have never forgotten it.

"Good morning, Dear Jesus, this day is for you. I ask you to bless all I think, say, and do."

Each morning when my high maintenance girl is on her changing table, we say this prayer. She smiles and coos and I begin the day really trying to dig into my faith and let Jesus be a part of everything I think, say, and do. Usually by 9am I am saying an Act of Contrition instead, but A for effort, right? Anyway, I was thinking about exactly what this prayer means in this 'new normal' life.

Good Morning Dear Jesus, This Day is for you.
Each day I should be living this day for HIM. The goal at the end of the day really shouldn't be that I fold 4 loads of laundry or sweep 2 tons of dog hair. It shouldn't even be that MY goals are met. It should be that in every instance, I did the most mundane of tasks FOR HIM. Tall Order Mrs. Ninness...

I ask you to bless all I think.
Let's start off with the most difficult first. One of my BFF's recently hugged me good-bye and said "don't think so much." I left laughing. That was comical, a real knee-slapper. Me, Keri, social worker, over-analyzer, don't think so much. Hilarious. So let's be realistic. I'm going to think. A Lot. I'm me. But maybe I can pray pray pray for God to bless what I think. Because we all know that thoughts lead to actions. So, I pray that my thoughts slide right on past baby weight, guilt, my multitude of inadequacies. I pray that God would bless me with the ability to re-direct onto things of HIM- a beautiful, thriving child, a patient, hard-working husband, a family who loves me at my worst, beautiful fall weather, etc, etc, etc. I know the good things exist, I just too often fall into the trap of thinking too much about stuff that serves no purpose in living my day FOR GOD (see above).

I ask you to bless all I say.
Yeah, this one's hard too. I am getting more sleep these days so my tongue is not as slippery but too often kindness is not the first thing out of my mouth. I ask that God helps me to complain much less, to say words of gratitude and appreciation, affirmation and support. It's pretty easy with that pudge of a baby girl, but my husband and mom and even friends deserve more than they've gotten lately from negative Nancy here. And I am smart enough to know that it's all cyclical- positive thoughts, positive words, positive thoughts...

I ask you to bless all I do.
That same BFF from above also shared some great advice to me. "The best way to mental health is physical health." In the case of a girl with a mild case of the blues and a moderate case of bad health habits (read: too much aspertame, sugar and not enough exercise), this struck me. So I ask God for help in motivating me to simply get out and enjoy this beautiful weather with a walk or hike or run. And maybe a tall glass of H20. And a whole lot less diet coke (anyone know of any correlation between artificial sweeteners and depression?) I digress. I have also noticed that I need my days to have some structure, some plan. I don't know what should fill them, but am working on a balance between some quality time with my girl and not punishing her with too many trips in the carseat and mama's need to get O.U.T. Regardless, I hope for God's blessings on the things that I do, on making my actions reflect my belief in HIM, my FAITH in HIS plan for our family and my gratitude toward Him.

Okay- the little tank is awake after her 11 minute nap. On to trying to put this prayer into action once again...