Good Morning Banana Muffins, gluten free

There’s a part of me that delights in waking up early. I mean really early. Like rising before the sun early.  I’ve always been a morning girl. More productive, more peaceful and seeking my purpose early in the day. I think it’s the brand newness, the crispness of another opportunity to, just once, get this thing called womanhood right. 

Or perhaps it’s the mercy, HIS mercy, starting over in the sunrise of a new day, another chance to live His way. In fact, that’s a prayer I came up with and taught to my girls so they remember each day’s opportunity to live in His holiness…

Dear God, Thank you for another day, another chance to life Your way. Amen

I suppose the appeal in rising before the sun is more about rising with a new awareness of The Son, The Savior and seeking His calling on that one day. Might I get the chance to speak truth to someone? Or perhaps I find a purpose in an interaction with a neighbor, a child…my child. Actually, purpose is usually found in little moments between the big ones. And tuning in to the Savior as the sun rises simply makes me notice more of those during the day.

That’s why I revel in my morning’s refreshment, getting my mind and spirit right with Him!

But now, you see, mornings mean even more. I’m not able to wake up quite as early as I used to since I find myself up a bit later at night meeting the next day’s needs or spending sweet time talking with my love, my new husband. (here's a tinsy bit of background)

Yeah…still sounds delightfully strange to say, 'my new husband'. Evenings are a time when we can find a few quiet moments to recap the day, refresh our spirits with each other or wrap our minds up in a meaningful devotion.

But then the morning arrives soon as I allow myself to sleep with him until his alarm calls him to duty as a detective. If I rise as early as I used to, I might miss that small moment to tune into the day with him. Besides, I don’t want to be too busy to see him off, offer a simple smile or linger with him just a little before he prepares his police belt with protection—protection for himself and the citizens he serves.

In our short time living together since we were married two months ago, he’s already been called a few times in the middle of night or wee hours of the morning. Maybe it’s something most don’t consider when they think about the men and women who serve. But, the need for them doesn’t end when the darkness falls on our peaceful heads.

Either way, so far on those mornings I don’t dose back off. I could linger alone, spread out in bed basking in a few more hours of sleep. But my mind won’t let me knowing where he’s going. Of course, he says it’s no big deal, just part of his duty and urges me to go back to sleep. But I know different...his job IS a big deal. 

That's why I see those mornings as opportunities. They offer extra time to find a new kind of morning peace as my purpose is placed in prayers for my husband while serving my sweet family.

Here's what happened at 4am after the most recent time when my brave husband was called to duty and I couldn’t go back to bed: Banana muffins for the sleeping girls to wake up to.

Thank you, my brave husband, for inspiring that early morning's warm banana muffins. And thank you for the hard work you do that so few seem to see.  I'm proud of you and honored to be your wife!

Oh, and I'll always save you some!