I wake up in the early morning,
My lack of sleep I am mourning.
I put my Hope 242 shirt on
As I look out to the light of the dawn.

On the back the shirt reads:

By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love
God and obey his commandments, And his
commandments, are not
burdensome. For everyone who
has been born of God overcomes
the world. - 1 John 5:2-4

On our road trip
We stop at a Waffle House.
I’m not in the best mood
When we sit down to eat our food.

It’s extremely crowded.
“Two pecan waffles!” someone just shouted.
While the waitress is overwhelmed yet joyful,
I sit no longer hungry yet self-centered.

I finish and push my plate aside,
Lean forward, and watch the cooks work side by side.
“Sir.” She says calmly as I turn around in my seat.
“Your shirt is just what I needed. Thanks you so much.”

She looks peaceful in the midst of chaos.
And I realize then,
That God can use you even when
You are at a loss.

I turn around and smile.
“Hey God.”

You know your sleep is off track
When you say “Good morning”
At 5 pm stretching your back
And wondering if you’re conforming;

Conforming to the idea
That we can do it on our own,
That to be a
Successful man, I should put myself on the throne.

Last night I stayed up studying
For hours alone
Getting much done, but without letting God accompany,
Singing a song off tone.

Yesterday I was dependent on Him
To pass my finals.
And whether or not with those grades win,
I’ll be pleased to know I was in His hands.

Last night however,
I was not the same.
I refused to put Him first all together
And relied on my own name.

Before I knew it I was sleeping through the exam.

Clocks are all around me.
They tell me; time of day.
They are true and make me free,
And tell me it’s OK.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The clock in my room,
Waits for me to seek.
“He will listen.” It assumes.
And through the noise it speaks:

Tick tock tick.
All throughout the night.
Tick tock tick tock.
Also in the light.

Beautiful it sounds.
It keeps me from despair.
And through the ups and through the downs,
My bedroom clock is there.

The tower rings aloud.
Its message; clear as day.
It is glad and it is proud,
And we love to hear it say:

Ding **** ding ****.
So loud it sings its song.
**** **** ding ****.
And we sing along.

It is so uplifting.
We’re ready to tackle the day.
It keeps us all away from drifting.
And we go about our way.

But my wristwatch is my friend.
It’s always on my arm.
On my wristwatch I depend.
And I keep it from all harm.

Tick. Tick. Tick.
It loves it when I listen.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
When I follow I do glisten.

I really should listen more.
There’s so much I am missing,
For even the simple rhythm of the sound,
Keeps me in thanksgiving.

My wristwatch loves me so.
It waits for me to hear.
Its love for me it wants to show.
For its message; it is clear.

Oh! I neglect it often.
But when I stop and listen
To what so often I've forgotten,
My heart begins to soften.

“William Oh William.
I’ve been waiting for you.”
It knows what I have become,
But its love stays true.

“If I only listened more,
If I only loved you more!”
“That’s OK William, I will always love you.
Your sins are paid for.”

Patiently He waits,
For me go to Him.
And gladly does He give His grace,
And I do sing His hymns.

“You keep me in line,
What would I do without you?”
“William, It’s OK. It’s going to be fine.
Now, here’s what I want you to do...”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God is all around me.
I sin, and He loves me still.
He is true and makes me free!
And He waits for me to listen to His will.