Father in heaven! When the thought of thee wakes in our hearts let it not awaken like a frightened bird that flies about in dismay, but like a child waking from its sleep with a heavenly smile.

Scripture: Psalm 118:24

I first became acquainted with this theologian in my Church History class at Columbia Theological Seminary. Our Church History Professor Catherine Gunsalus Gonzalez was gifted in regaling us with interesting stories about influential persons throughout church history, which made the subject more engaging than some other professors teaching that course. From what she did teach us about Soren Kierkegaard, also known as “The Melancholy Dane,” I knew that I wanted to learn more.

To that end I selected my favorite theology professor, Dr. C. Benton Kline, Jr. to oversee me as I did an independent study on Kierkegaard. I would read biographies of Kierkegaard, assorted writings and two of his best-known works: Fear and Trembling and The Sickness Unto Death. I could relate to “The Melancholy Dane.”

The prayer above is cheerful. It reminds me of the ways people have greeted a new day. With the above description, we might think Kierkegaard would be numbered among those who say, “Good Lord, it’s morning!” rather than those who say, “Good morning, Lord!” How do you greet the day? In all honesty, I suppose there are some days when we use the “doom and gloom” expression while we use the cheerful on other days. I hope more of us will find ourselves greeting each new day saying, “Good morning, Lord!”