In the Morning
I am a creature of habit. I thrive in routine. I find things like calendars, day planners, schedules, and checklists absurdly gratifying. I am also a morning person. I will rise with the sun any day of the week so long as I can put my pajamas back on by 7 pm. Once sunlight peaks through the curtains my body can’t stay in bed another second, or else the dog doesn’t give me a choice. So it might surprise you to know that I don’t have a morning routine, (one that exists for me, not my kids). Oh, I’ve had them before, plenty of times. There have been seasons in which I woke before the crack of dawn to hit the gym, meet up for a boot camp workout, or run a 5k on the regular. I have set my alarm dutifully for weeks on end to grab my Bible and read a devotional book. For many months I consistently met up with a friend for long, early morning walks. Each habit I cultivated was purposeful and life-giving, but they were also short-lived.
Something always broke the cycle; an unexpected change in the schedule, a visit from family, a sick kiddo, or a need I had to meet for someone else. My morning routine, however fulfilling, took a backseat to the unforeseen. Once the cycle broke, it was easy to slip back into my old ways; prioritizing everybody else’s needs before my own. I’d get up and serve my kids and husband, ensuring everyone was squared away for the day before I even got around to doing something for myself, like showering, (and let’s be honest, addressing your hygiene should hardly be considered self-care). My morning “to-do” list changed, and my cup-filling routine was no longer on it. It’s a sacrifice I needed to stop making.
Lately, I’ve been feeling sluggish, unhealthy, and distracted. My mind is often foggy even though the hours of sleep I’m getting haven’t changed. My prayer life is sporadic and I have trouble centering my heart on Christ when worries flood my mind. I’ve lost all motivation to exercise or consume anything other than coffee and wine (the liquid diet I’m still waiting to be approved by the FDA). I’m struggling to thrive. I was wondering why this was, what was missing, and what needed to change. Then I read a beautiful magazine article entitled, “Sabbath Living: A Guide to Curating Peaceful Mornings,” and it became very clear I needed to reintroduce a morning routine, this time with a fresh perspective.
“Let me encourage you not to think of it as a to-do list,” the author says. “No, you get to curate your morning. You are the architect of your life. You get to choose and create time. Take a moment to sit and dream up the perfect, unrushed beginning of a beautiful day. See it? Then you’re ready to begin,” (Terrica Joy). This got me thinking, what would a perfect morning look like for me? I’ll tell you.
I would begin early, while the rest of the house is still sleeping. I’d brush my teeth and wash my face because doing those things makes me feel fresh and alive, even if I’m still in pajamas. I’d throw on my glasses and slippers, then head to the kitchen to pour myself a giant cup of cold brew with extra ice (this is non-negotiable). Next, I’d curl up in the leather armchair tucked in the corner of my den and take in the sun rising over the treeline. If by some miracle there’s a drop in the humidity level, I may even venture outside to the front porch and watch from my rocking chair like a true Southerner. I’d sip my coffee, breathe in deep, and open my grateful heart to fresh beginnings, a clean slate, a new day. With each inhale and exhale I’d surrender my thoughts, my plans, and my desires to God. I’d let His peace warm me like the sunlight coming through the window. Then I’d talk to Jesus, my trusted friend, and tell Him everything that was on my mind, and share the people on my heart. I’d seek His wisdom, welcome His conviction, and rest in His assurance that my life is safely in His hands. I’d seek His voice in the pages of my Bible, letting His words wash over me. By then the dog will undoubtedly be awake and begging for both breakfast and attention, so I’ll feed her and take her for a walk while the dew is still on the grass and before the sauna we call the Gulf Coast turns fully on. I’ll switch my coffee for water, put in my earbuds, and worship while I walk. When I return home I’ll feel energized, confident, and ready to shift my focus to my family (or a good book, if it’s not a school day). Here’s what my morning won’t include: social media, cleaning up the dishes from last night, starting a load of laundry, checking to see if my grades are posted, or answering emails and text messages. Those are distractions I will no longer welcome. What would your perfect morning look like?
I’m ready to make the change, to start embracing this new morning routine as a lifestyle, “daily practices, simple rituals, perspective shifting, heart conditioning” as Joy so eloquently calls it. You’ve heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” Well, it’s true. My sluggishness, fatigue, and muddy mind are the remnants swirling around the bottom of my proverbial empty cup. I trust as my new morning ritual becomes more and more routine, I will see a world of difference. It’s not that I can’t seek God throughout my day. Of course, I can. He is available to me any time, day or night, but there’s something about beginning our morning in His presence. I flipped through the book of Psalms today and found that David felt the same. See for yourself.
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” -Psalm 5:3
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.” -Psalm 59:16
“But I cry to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer comes before you.” -Psalm 88:13
“Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” -Psalm 90:14
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” -Psalm 92:1-2
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” -Psalm 143:6
The love of God waits for us in the morning, ushering us into a new day. I’m choosing to step into it, not because I need routine, but because I need to thrive.