3 Words to Start Your Day

Today begins with amen.

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My name is Tanner Olson and I am an author, poet, and speaker. Here I share whatever comes to mind. Often I’ll post a prayer or poem or reflection or story. Before you move onto the next thing hit the subscribe button! Thanks for being here.

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There is something about pausing and saying, “God is here.”

This is how I’ve been starting my mornings.

Quietly whispering these three words to myself as I stand in the stillness of our home.

These are the first three words I say and hear.

A beautiful reminder that I am not alone.

The Creator of the world sees me and knows me and is with me.

God is here.

Some days I wake with a mind that doesn’t seem to grasp the meaning of rest.
Or stillness.
Or peace.

So I pray.
Or I try to pray.

I take a few deep breaths.
I let the silence fill me and meet me where I am.
With my eyes closed I picture the light breaking through the endless darkness.
I don’t know why, but that’s what I picture.
It’s holy and peaceful and promising. 

I guess that’s why.

I invite my head to unfold like my hands and hand it all over. To no longer carry what my mind has gripped with anxiousness and over-thinking and all the other things that pull me from where I need to be.

My morning prayers are groggy and honest thoughts seeking a foundation, a place to stand tall in the confidence of a forever hope and new day. 

In prayer I run to God’s outstretched arms, reaching for His peace that passes all of my understanding, yet perfectly meets me where I am.

God is here.

Peace perfectly meets my past, present, and future.

My prayers are not poetic or perfect, but I trust they don’t need to be.

God wants to spend time with me and I want to spend time with God.

As the words flow from my mouth I am reminded of God’s mercy and grace and kindness. I hear myself speak of what He already knows, but how freeing it is to speak of what He already knows.

I ask. I wonder. I confess.
I get lost. I return. I thank.
I get lost again. I return.

It’s a conversation.

I wait in the silence.

I feel my body fill with the air God has given me.

My heart beats, celebration of redemption and a new day.

My hands are still empty, but completely full.

And when I say amen, I know then, and only then, today can begin.

Today begins with amen. 

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