I roll over, open my eyes to a new day. My heart breathes thanks, and I notice it again: a lingering song.

I have awakened to a phrase or a chorus most days now for a number of years, seeping into my consciousness with morning’s light. Frequently a line from Sunday’s worship, sometimes from a time farther back, it welcomes me with the soft reminder to pray. To lift my heart to the one who created this new day; who offers new beginnings, peace and assurance. To the one who knows me best and loves me most.

I consider it a gift from the Spirit, wooing me into his presence as I stretch and open my eyes. Reminding me who and what I live for. A kindness to anoint my day with purpose as I rise.

I have done nothing to deserve this blessing. I don’t listen to music often, and I don’t seed my bedtime moments with Scripture. Instead, I end the day as I begin it; with a prayer of thanks for God’s kindness and mercy toward me. And yet, when I wake, there it is—a soft melody teasing the edges of my growing awareness as darkness gives way to dawn’s tender light.

Most mornings the tune whispers in the background of my morning preparations, sometimes so quietly that I barely perceive it. Others, like today, I wake to lyrics flooding my heart with gratitude for another day of life.

I realize that what sings me awake are echoes of worship; those lyrics and verses I offered to him sometime earlier. And I consider that what we fill our minds with reflects back to us, for good or ill. “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.” Jesus said. “The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” (John 6:63) Are we filling our lives with his words?

All my life you have been faithful, today’s song reminds me. Indeed. I remember the love that has led me from my youth to this day, the comfort I have known in its embrace, this manna that fed me in my wilderness wanderings.

And I marvel at his kindness in reminding me, morning by morning, that I never wake alone.

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalms 57:7-10