Modeh Ani (Texas Style)!

Boker Tov, Chaverim!

My dad, z"l, used to love getting up early in the morning and getting the day off to a good start.  B"H, this is one of many wonderful things I've inherited from him.  Starting off the day well can set a positive tone for the entire rest of the day.  For years now, when I arise in the mornings, the first thing I try to think of and to say is Modeh Ani:

    מודה אני לפנך, מלך חי וקים, שהחזרת בי נשמתי בחמלה, רבה אמונתך.

    I thank You, living and eternal King, for giving me back my soul in mercy.  Great is Your faithfulness.

(This English translation is from the Koren Sacks Siddur.)

I confess that I'm not always entirely successful.  Frequently, the first thoughts in my head and the first words out of my mouth are more along the lines of, "Crap!  Again?  Why didn't I go to bed earlier so that I could get up earlier?  Now I have to rush.  Arghh..."

I'm workin' on it.  :-)

In a recent CTN Torah Minute, Rabbi Moshe Katz comments on the meaning of the last couple words of our pasuk.  What does it mean to say to Hashem, "Great is YOUR failthfulness?"  What does the Omnipresent and the Omniscient have to be faithful for?  Rabbi Katz's answer is surprising.  He answered that G-d believes in us!  Imagine that!  The Creator of the universe believes in us!

Hashem has so much confidence and belief in us that He returns to us our souls each morning.  He provids for all our needs.  Indeed, He sustains all of creation from moment to moment.  Therefore, all the more so should we have confidence in our ability to fulfill His desires for us in this world, to make a difference, to make the world a better place, and to not disappoint Him.

This appeals to me.  I try to keep it in mind now each morning as I say Modeh Ani.   

Now permit me to share with you an entertaining YouTube video that recently came across one of my social networking feeds.  It's "Modeh Ani (Texas Style)!":

Enjoy!

--Bri