Breakfast

I eat breakfast every morning.  When I was younger, I rarely did, mainly because I just couldn't be bothered to miss a few minutes of precious sleep for a seemingly unimportant meal.  Back then, I'd roll out of bed, throw my school clothes on, and hop in my mom's van for the quick ride to school.  By the time I got to my second class of the day, I was usually famished, digging through my lunchbag and eating everything I could find, attempting to retroactively prevent that hunger.  Even though I snacked my way through 2nd, 3rd. and 4th hour, I could never quite fill myself after the morning deficit.

As I've become older and wiser, I've realized the importance of breakfast.  I get to work fairly early, and the first thing I always do is pour myself a hot cup of coffee and heat up my big bowl of oatmeal.  Having that breakfast is the perfect way to kick off my morning.  It not only fills me, but it gives me a chance to mentally prepare for the day that awaits.

In much the same way that I learned of my need for breakfast before starting each day, I've learned of my absolute need to spend time with the Lord the first thing in the morning.  When I don't start my day off with Him, I find myself tired, grouchy, critical, and negative.  My mind is completely focused on my own needs and my own discomfort.  Much like I'd eat all of my snacks from lunch to satisfy my hunger, when I don't start the day completely before the Lord, I find myself struggling during work to sneak in a few verses that will give me a hopeful boost, reading a few blogs or skimming devotionals as a substitute to a hearty spiritual breakfast.  Though those verses and devotionals are incredible, they can never take the place of coming before the living God, offering up my life to His command, and taking in His life-giving word.  He alone can satisfy.

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."  

-John 6:35