Just like me, you want to start your day right. Right? And for much of the world that involves a green smoothie and some hot yoga.
But for those of us who follow God, you and I know that the best way to start your day right is to spend some quality time with our creator.
Some things not to do:
- Go from zero to 60 Maybe you heard a great sermon at church this weekend that talked about priorities, or were at a retreat that talked about the importance of quite time, good for you! It’s great to be inspired by people who love God and have had a difference made in their lives by spending time with Him. But don’t become so inspired that you try to change everything about your routine – that’s a sure way to think that a morning routine is impossible.
Instead of saying “I’ll spend an hour with God every morning.” How about, “Every day, I will start with a five minutes.” Five minutes every morning is a much better place to start than a 45 minute crash and burn session.
- Thinking you can “squeeze it in” When has a morning ever offered up more time magically? When has it taken less time for your kids to get dressed, for your hair to dry, or for you to take the dog for a walk? Morning magic time doesn’t exist (except in Cinderella, but she had all those mice and birds to help her get dressed…)
If you want to start your day right, don’t put yourself behind before you even start.
- Going too deep, too fast So you’ve decided to do your morning devotions and you think the book of Leviticus is a good place to start.
Let’s be a little kinder to ourselves – shall we?
In order to start your day right, find a devotional that will meet you where you are. You can work your way up to Leviticus – it will still be there when you’re ready – promise.
So how do you get yourself together in the morning if you do want to start your day right with time with God, but you are already feeling behind?
Round up Your Tools
What you need to accomplish this is pretty simple:
- Your Bible
- A devotional book
- A journal
- Your favorite pen
Reserve Time I know it’s hard to do first thing in the morning, but hear me out: When you start to live Clutter Free in every area of your life, including your schedule, it’s amazing what you can prioritize. As you start to put practices in place to make your mornings easier, but the night before being kind to your future self and setting up the coffee, picking out your outfit for the next day, figuring out what is for breakfast, and having your kid’s backpacks and your computer bag packed and by the front door. If you do any of those things the night before, I promise you, you’ve just given yourself a way to start your morning right with at least five minutes with God.
Set the Time I have an alarm on my phone that reminds me it’s time to sit down with God. I know when it is (7:15 AM) but knowing that the alarm is coming helps me do what I need to do so I can actually sit down for my devotions.
Set the Scene One of the ways that I work to anticipate my morning time is to set the scene; my coffee is set up the night before so I can enjoy it while spending time with God. I have my favorite blanket ready on the couch and a Yankee candle and a pack of matches next to me so that I can set my time aside as a little bit of sacred in what I know will be a very busy day.
Read Decide in advance what to read. I tend to either follow a Bible reading plan, or go with a daily devotional that I can read in about five minutes that is accompanied by scripture. Currently, I’m going through Unblinded Faith – Gaining Spiritual Sight Through Believing God’s Word. It’s a 90 day devotional that is set up perfectly for a quick morning read, but with enough spiritual depth that I feel like I’m able to carry the message all day long. Highly recommended.
Reflect (Mediation and Journaling)
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
If all you are able to do to start your day right is read a devotion, then start there. But, if you do it consistently, it won’t be enough. Eventually, you will want to go – and grow – deeper. That is where refection comes in – meditating and journaling.
I know that for years, I made meditation a much bigger and way more mysterious thing than it needed to be. But meditation is simply the practice of thinking about the scripture you just read, and then giving God the space and silence to speak to you on that scripture or anything else.
So when I’m going through a devotional, I read the chapter, and then go to my bible to read the scripture. Then I spend some time thinking about the scripture I just read, and then ask God to bring anything about that scripture to mind.
Finally, I have a journal where I write down anything I’ve discovered from the scripture or from the devotion that I’ve read. This is also where I can keep track of any prayer requests that come up in the morning or throughout the day.
My journal is simple. I have about a half a sheet per day where I can write things down. There is no elaborate system (those have never worked for me in the past.) This is just something between me and God, for no one else.
At first, creating a daily routine can feel awkward and as if you’ll never make a habit of it – but trust me – if this girl can learn to enjoy and embrace the routine of a daily quite time – I have high hopes for you.
In the comments below, tell us one step you can take to start your morning right – let’s all learn from each other!
I keep my glasses, devotional and phone in a pile on the nightstand- I don’t even have to get out of bed to start the day right!?
I have been planning what I will wear for the day, the night before and laying them out. This has been saving time in the morning.
I DON’T know exactly where to submit my reply on your blog, Kathi, but I am so appreciative of all your decluttering posts. When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I just go back to them and all the advice you give! I also need to focus on putting God first ea. day and then exercising if my schedule that day allows me to! You help me to stay on track with that as well, with all of your helpful hints – especially allowing myself to start with just 5 min. a day instead of spending 30 or 60 min. Then I get very overwhelmed!! I would love to be a winner of the book you are reading or any of your gifts if one hasn’t been chosen yet! I was behind in reading your e-mails (my bad) and after seeing all the comments, I’m sure you have picked the winners already tho 🙁
I set up as much as I can the night before, to take care of my husband. Very soon after getting up, I turn on music to get me started focusing on the Lord, then I have several online devotions and my current “book” to read throughout my day. I have to HAVE a song in my mind, even if it’s under my activities and thoughts.
I am so busy and have tried many times to set this time aside and have failed. I start by praying before I even get out of bed and that helps. But I am going to get my space ready with all my tools in the bathroom. As silly as that sounds, it has a lock on the door and I can usually sneak in by 5:30am before anyone is awake. I love the idea of the candle. I will add that too! Thanks for the grey words of wisdom!!!! ?
Trying to pray/do devotional before getting up for the day!
I pray while I’m taking my shower in the morning 🙂
When I know we need to be out of the house by a certain time, I tell the kids it’s 15 minutes earlier. Then I’m not yelling.
I am going to start by adding journaling to my morning routine. Right now I spend 10-15 minutes in prayer first thing. I’m going to add in time to write some thoughts, etc each day.
For me it is finally realizing I need to stop watering dead plants and leave my marriage. Being in community with people who love me, like me and accept me will encourage me to. Feeling comfortable in a less hostile environment will give me the freedom to seek wisdom in safety and calm.
I start my days with a prayer of thanksgiving. I’m thankful for the home I live in, the three crazy/loud kiddos God has blessed me with and a husband who is already off to work hard for his family when I wake up. I’ve found that waking with a grateful heart sets me on the right path for a great day.
I want to start my mornings with peace and meditation…to set the tone for my day. I like to say my morning prayers before starting my day and this would help me focus.
I’m too groggy when I first get up to make much sense of things so I play a word game or card game on my iPad. What I need to do is set a timer for 10 minutes and then start a devotional. It will give my brain time to get engaged but the time will help me to remember to quit playing and start praying!
After many years of not starting my day off reading the Bible, I am finally am able to do it. Thankful for a God who redeems!
I am learning to put my phone on the do not disturb until after I do my devotion time because I would be get up and reach for my phone that would be full of notifications that I felt like I had to answer. I am not perfect at it but it’s a start. I may need to start turning it off because I still reach for it sometimes.
Definitely getting up 30 minutes to an hour before I need to start my to-do’s makes a big difference. It changes things from being rush-rush to having more order to the day.
I loathe waking up to a sink full of yesterday’s mess. As much as it depends on me, I get the kitchen ready for the day! Take the next step, empty or load and run the dishwasher. Get my coffee set up (DH knows how I take it and brings it to me now!). Dining room table cleared (again, as much as it depends on me!)
PRAY, PRAY and study God’s word before I answer e-mails.
I try to do a 2 minute breathing exercise/ meditation. And pray after that- sometimes I follow it with a devotional or simply by reading the Bible verse of the day if I’m running late.
I set all my electronics (phone, iPad, kindle etc) aside and spend time with the Lord each morning. If I look at my phone first thing in the morning I get distracted.
Been starting to enjoy some quiet meeting time with the Alford on the deck; now that spring weather. After the kids and hubby out for the day and before my work… but my caution in getting caught up in electronics/phone and Email/social media! Keeping that out is my key… rather expand my sights to Him in nature of the morning and His Word.
I take my coffee and sit outside on my deck. Start out each day with three gratitudes. I call it my attitude of gratitude adjustment.
Quit getting in FB before I read my Bible.
I’m awake a good half hour, putzing around with my coffee or scrolling FB and email. I need to put a stop to that laziness and begin my day with God. It seems I go through seasons of dedicated time with Him and taking care of my body with exercise, and then something changes and I stop my routine. I love waking up with God; my day is always better! I need to do this, especially to hear Gods voice in homeschooling and the challenges that come with that. My workout things will be ready to go tomorrow morning, so I am ready after spending time with God.
I have been waking up an hour early since it gets light sooner. Last week I started getting up with my coffee and my devotion book to relax with God and contemplate His Sovereignty in my life before I wake up my homeschool student and start the day with her. Today I am starting to ride my exercise bike 15 minutes while I check my mail… it actually goes quite fast when I am occupied!
Start the day with prayer.
Thank you so much for this helpful article. One thing that would make a difference in my quiet time is to have my heart open and ready to receive from the Lord. Often, I’m looking for “perfect” conditions for my quiet time. So if it doesn’t seem “perfect”,I wait for time later, which doesn’t happen. So I need to make good use of my time, spend it with the Lord, even if it isn’t “perfect”.
I need to go to bed earlier to wake up earlier for this special time.
I need to do this morning thing for myself. My day is consumed by caring for others and has been for the past 5 years. Taking care of my parents has been difficult and I lost my mom a few years back. I have been in charge of caring for my father ever since and there personal and business matters. It’s been hard to find time to do anything for myself but I know the importance of self-care and building a routine for myself again. This sounds like a perfect place to start.
Take a walk in the evenings!
One step I can take to start the morning off right would be to tell God what I’m grateful for that day.
I’m a scheduler.. must move “bible study” from to do list to an actual appointment! So many good ideas here!
My husband gets up earlier than me. I could get up at the same time and that would give me 15-30 min to spend with the Lord before the two teens get up. Bonus: I can share quiet time with hubby ?
I can get up at least 15 minutes earlier to have devotion to set myself up for a terrific day….no matter what comes my way that day…
I need to start getting up at least 3o minutes before the kiddos again. I used to do this faithfully but I am pregnant again and 1st trimester is kicking my butt. Lord please help me do this. I would love this devotional! Great post today, just what I needed to hear.
Wake up 15 mins earlier to read and journal in my Bible.
Getting to bed early is always the key for me.
I am a busy farm wife who needs to set more time aside for god. Like many others said I need to start setting an alarm and making time instead of getting up and rushing in the morning. Thanks for all the great tips and ideas. God bless!
I’m in a season of life with a 6 month old right now who still wakes up at night to eat so getting up even 10 minutes earlier seems so undoable. But I could get his bottles and diaper bag ready the night before as well as make sure my daughter has her backpack all together and lunch packed. Then I can use that time saved in the morning for my devotional. Loved the live today!
I set my Bible and a few devotionals out next to the couch so I can go start my quiet time with the first cup of coffee. Sometimes it’s not that quiet but I just reread it until I remember a key words to remember during the day. I want to spend more time and go deeper in the word but not sure where to start & what to focus on during study.
Other morning prep includes prepping bags & supplies the night before. The biggest lesson I’ve learned to to include transition time in my morning so I have room for incidentals such as a child having a meltdown or a teen taking longer than usual in the bathroom.
Your live today was so good. Thank you for your honesty. I too feel spoiled in that things have to be just right for my devotional time.
Something has been missing. I need this in my life! Live you Kathi and the group!
One thing I have been doing is not picking up my phone or ipad until I’ve spent at least a little bit of time with Jesus. It starts the day of right and without guilt!!! Then, I feel free to go about my day and include a longer time with Him later in the day when I can study and pray deeper.
I learned several years ago I did not need to read 2 newspapers from cover to cover first thing every morning, I needed to dedicate my day to the LORD first thing and read His word. What a wonderful difference!!
My days have to start with God. When they don’t, I’m worse off. I also have to stop hurting my tomorrows by not doing something today. I get overwhelmed so easily and then I give up.
I need to set things up the night before (be kind to my future self) and write it in my planner as a priority. I am not a morning person and easily feel frazzled so I use my planner as my “brain”. Having it written there will help me, as simple as it sounds!
I no longer have to make myself read the Bible. After having my third child I realized how much I lack in wisdom, peace, understanding, kindness, the list goes on. I NEED Jesus to show me the way bc I am utterly lost. If you think you have it all figured out then you won’t realize the need you have for The Living Word of God. On the days I don’t start with Jesus I don’t get anything accomplished and I feel stressed. On the days I do, I have more peace and stay focused. It’s an easy choice but one I have to intentionally choose everyday!
I am such a work in progress! Just when I think I’ve “mastered” my faith walk with God, I discover a way to go deeper. This bundle seems to be the “next right thing” for me on that path to getting my mornings off to a positive start.
Your ideas are so helpful, thank you ! I am going to try setting up an area for my quiet time, with my teapot and water ready to boil, cell phone turned off until after my connection time with God……
I have to tell myself the truth at night when I’m wanting to stay up late- if I stay up later I’m robbing myself of my workout and quiet time with God. Then I have to visualize my morning the next day and remember how good I feel when I am done with my exercise and quiet time.
If I gather my bible, my reading plan, journal, pen and put it next to my favourite reading chair the night before then in the morning I make a cup of tea and head straight to my reading spot and I’m way more likely to start the day with God.
Getting your morning ready the night before makes a huge difference.
This is very encouraging, thank you.
My first step is to go to bed when my kids do in order to wake an hour before them. This devotional sounds wonderful!
Setting an alarm would be a great first step. Plus, pre-planning what I’m going to read would help a ton.
I need to establish a set time rather than thinking I’ll get around to it…that’s not working very well!
I’m a ‘think I can squeeze it in’ kinda gal. You would think I would have learned by now…
Wake up consistently when my alarm goes off to sit quietly before the house wakes up. That also means I need to go to bed at a decent hour.
I like to use my phone because I have easy access to scripture and devotionals all day long. Whenever I find myself waiting, I use that time to read God’s word.
I definitely need to set an alarm to have a routine for spending time alone in God’s word before my day begins. Really appreciate your tips and encouragement for the perfectionist-minded, high expectations driven as we all fall short…daily. God Bless you and your ministry!
I set my alarm 10 minutes early every day to make my prayer time happen each day. It’s been the best thing for me!
Thank you for the simple ideas. I need to get ready the night before and not go TOO BIG!
I need to organize myself the night before and not try to go TOO BIG! Thanks for the guidance.
I definitely agree that a fruitful morning starts the night before. Having a cozy, clean(ish) space to study all ready to go is a motivator.
I make a point to read a chapter in the Bible in the morning. I would really like to be able to read a commentary about the chapter so I learn more about the meaning.
Need to heed Lord’s instruction to Know HIM, not just about HIM. Shall endeavor to sit quietly with the Lord as I do First5, Love God Greatly, YouVersion plans, through the Bible in a year and women’s Bible studies. May need to cut back on quantity for quality and not feel compelled to check each one off daily list.
Remind myself that I must take care of me first before I can really take care of those I love. With the guidance of God Almighty it can be done.
I need to set an alarm and actually devote a specific time to devotions. Right now I don’t take the time to have devotions and I am losing out because of it. I think setting an alarm would help me think “hey you have set aside time for this you can do it”.
I am trying to read the through the Bible on a three year plan. I get up 15 min earlier to read selections for that day and then make noted through out the day how God is demonstrating those truths in my life. I also am making a notebook of beautiful scripture art to reflect on. Definitely a work in progress but my canoe is pointed in the right direction:-)
A friend of mine gave me a pretty basket to put my bible, notepad, pen, devotional in. This way everything is all in one place and I’m ready to meet with God.
Start with a short prayer right before going to sleep and again before I get out of bed in the morning. Hoping this will help me sleep better and wake up in a better mood.
I’m going to start with a simple prayer before my feet even hit the floor!
I’m trying to read through the Bible this year, but am disorganized in the way I go about it. I’m a visual person so I’m going to make a chart of all the books of the Bible with a box for each chapter. When I read a chapter I’ll fill in a box so I can see my progress!
I just read this quote the other day and it is so true. “As you begin your day – so goes your day.”
I slowly feel like I’ve been slipping farther & deeper into Hopelessness! With a 16yr old who just began counseling and 12yr old trying out for cheer. Although, We are BLESSED beyond belief, yet I still find myself soo stuck. Days when I’m in my pjs until it’s time to pick up from school. Nights that I stay up until 2am and unproductive mornings playing candy crush ? I know ALL of these are NOT where or what I suppose to be doing, but somehow I still find myself right back in these places. I’ve been a homemaker for 16yrs and feel its time to do something but can’t seem to break these chains. Thank you for sharing advice on where to start?
I need to figure out how to make this time more of a priority. In my current discipleship class, we just talked about this. We figured out where we were spending our time on a daily/weekly basis and tried to figure out what could to be adjusted so that I could fit it in. If you are a morning person, try for that….if you are an evening person, find the time before bed. I actually do some of mine at before I start working in the AM. 🙂
I use a Bible app for my devotions and study. To avoid the temptation to go to email, pintrest, or Facebook I open my Bible app at night before I go to bed. That way the first thing I see is God’s word.
I need to put my phone away instead of checking email first thing in the morning. It cuts into my quiet time because I get distracted instead of doing the study I plan.
I listened to a podcast the other day that made the suggestions to read one book and study it. There suggestion was to maybe start with a small book and read the whole book everyday of the month. By the end of the month you will get insight that you wouldn’t have if you only read it once.
I love this, and desperately need to carve this time out for myself every morning! I had my 4th child in February and he’s just getting Into a predictable sleeping pattern, so now is the perfect time to start a new habit! I will get out of bed at 5 am, or after Sawyer’s 4/4:30 feeding, whichever comes first, and sit down at the kitchen table with my Bible, devotional, & journal while it’s still and quiet in the house, before anyone else is up. ??????
Go to bed earlier and set my alarm 15 min. earlier.
Reserve Time! This is what I need.
I will set an alarm on my phone, and when it goes off, heed it!
Resist being a Night Owl and go to bed!! This will allow me to start my day with God before going into “Mom mode” to get the kids up, fed, and off to school.
The night before, I’ll prep the things I need for the day so the morning starts less stressed and hurried.
I used to have Bible time with the Lord in the morning and by the time I realized how late in the day it was, I stopped. Since, my life is totally unbalanced. I pray when prompted but I’m not being fed like I should be. If I was to win, my first journal post would be about balance and that would be the initial scriptures I search for.
I need to get up when I wake up. Not flip on the morning news.
I need to do the normal things like go to bed on time, prep the night before and set my alarm just a little earlier than usual, but I think the most important thing is to remind myself why I am doing it and ask God to keep me motivated. If I tell myself I can do it on my own, I’ll end up staying in bed. I am NOT a morning person, but I know I can get up early for Jesus.
Making sure I have everything I need for the morning set out the night before.
I am taking care of everyone but me! I have been looking for a daily devotional to use for quiet time! I need to make this a priority!
Getting up when my alarm goes off so I can be up before the rest of the family
I’m trying to go to bed earlier so I can get up before my kids.
Small baby steps! So great to keep the goal constantly before you! It’s so easy to get hung up on the routine itself and marking it off our to do list! Progress not Perfection! Consistently dive into the Word to develop a relationship with God. Five minutes of devotion time is better than doing nothing at all. Thanks for this fantastic giveaway.
I’ve been wanting to dig into a new devotional program, but I’m struggling to finish a “Read the Bible in a Year” program. I’m currently a few months behind. I haven’t made time for a devotion because the daily Bible reading takes a chunk of time. I still want to finish reading the entire Bible, but perhaps will focus only on the books I haven’t read. Then I can dedicate that “found” time to a devotion.
Two suggestions:
1. Read through the New Testament in one year. This takes about 5 minutes daily. I am currently using The 5 minute New Testament (with reflection questions by Stephen Arterburn)
2. Read only the portion for the day you have time to read and don’t put pressure on yourself to “catch up”.
I was in the habit of getting up before my kids for a while but have fallen out. I’m much more patient and grounded when I’ve woken up on my own, enjoyed a cup of coffee, and spent some time with Jesus. I’m moving soon and looking forward to using my sun room for this morning time. Thanks for the reminder!
Prep the night before, tell my small group ladies and hubby to keep me accountable and set a reminder on my phone 🙂
Get up 10 minutes earlier.
I need to go to bed early the night before so I can get up before the kids for my quiet time. I need to cultivate a habit of sleeping early.
I love the advice of don’t try to completely overhaul your morning. Start bite by bite.
Thing I will be more intentional in doing is having items I need for quiet time all together in one place.
One way to improve my morning routine is to work on my evening routine….prep coffee and layout my clothes the evening before would be helpful.
This post was great! I tend to feel like if I don’t delve deep into the word and spend at least 30 minutes for my quiet time, then it’s not good enough. Then it becomes an item to check of my list. Thank you for helping me realize that even just 5 good minutes is better than none, to just do what I can and plan for it. I’m going to put a blanket and candle next to my spot. I love that idea!
I used to view my quiet time as a chance to get closer to God. Something I do for me. But now I see it is more about my relationship with God. The time I spend with Him means something to Him, too. It makes it easier to prioritize when I look at it that way.
I use the Bible study app First 5 from Proverbs 31. It is awesome to go thru the books of the Bible and they are made to be 5 minutes long. You can take them further with their experience guides if you want! I very seldom miss my quiet time because I want to kerp the study going!!
I get up early, have a couple of devotions I read with my morning coffee, but journaling is a huge struggle for me! That’s what I will work on.
I like the idea of setting the alarm for morning devotional, especially since I am a zombie for at least an hour after I wake up. And I never considered lighting a candle for devotions! I’m definitely going to implement these!
I prepare for the morning before going to bed.
I have a 4 y/o, 2 y/o and a 3 month old, so being up before them and being prepared is the key for me. Sometimes I want to start on a few morning chores first, but then my time with the Lord normally gets pushed away. Getting up, getting my coffee and starting immediately works for me!
I do morning devotions. I continue to meditate on the scripture and devotional throughout the day.
I have coffee with God when I first get up. I continue to meditate on the devotion and scripture throughout the day.
With a 8, 6 and 8 month old, I make sure to be up before them to spend time with God. More often than not the baby is with me. I have a plan and a spot I go to. I think Routine is key.
I will get up when my husband leaves for worn, get my cup of coffee, go back to bed where I prefer to have my quiet time and spend time with Jesus before getting the kids up and starting the day. Love the idea of lighting a candle as well.
l have tried this before but failed because l tried to do so much change at once it burned out quickly. Great idea to prep some things like outfits the night before to help make more time in the morning routine.
I will start getting up when my husband leaves for work and use that time to study Gods word. It really sets the tone for my day and I feel equipped to take on my role as mom. I definitely feel proactive instead of reactive.
Thank you for this. I find if I don’t do my reading in the morning, then it doesn’t get done. Getting up earlier will help a lot.
I have tried and failed so many times at being consistent with my morning devotions. I appreciate that Kathi said it’s ok to start out with just 5 minutes. I resolve to get up 10 minutes earlier each morning, not to look at social media beforehand, to have my bible, selected devotional, journal and coffee ready the night before.
I really needed someone to tell me it’s okay not to jump in too deep, too fast. I always burn out when I try to start a new quiet time habit. I will get a Bible bag together with all of my tools and schedule 5 minutes a day.
I will go to bed earlier so wjen my alarm goes off at 5am i am restedvand ready to spend time in gods word
When my husband leaves the house at 5:10 AM I won’t go back to bed. I’ll grab a coffee and allow God to work His decluttering in me!
This message touched my heart. I am so not a morning person and struggle with guilt of not starting each day with study/devotion with God. I usually work it in sometime before my head hit the pillow at night, but seldom with time to truly meditate on His Word, I’ve focused on reading through the Bible but am not always fed spiritually. I’ll make a new start with focused attention on a devotional with a couple of verses to meditate on while praying for God’s direction and grow from there.
After hitting the snooze button I try to take the time before it goes off again to talk with God about all I am thankful for and to pray. I notice a huge difference in my attitude throughout the day when I do this!
At my alarm clock next to my bed is an index card with the scripture written out from Psalm 143:8. Speaking this aloud every morning (have since memorized it) creates joy starting my day!
That’s so good! Thx for sharing that, Ruth 🙂
I appreciate these steps and have eventually learned these steps the past year and it makes my life look forward to the day and create a positive attitude! My biggest thing I have learned is to not have guilt for taking me time!
I love ur idea of having ur coffee set to go the night before….I have a bible bag I have my bible, journal, and pens in it so I can just grab it and sit in my easy chair…. love exploring new ideas for my quiet time!
I loved this post Kathi! I drive an hour to work through the mountains every day, and my husband has a brain injury so much of the household chores fall to me. There are so many things that have fallen to the wayside, and morning quiet time and exercise are the two most painful things to have lost. So, my suggestion won’t be as restful and “sacred” as what others can do, but if I get up a few minutes early I can have “quiet time” on the treadmill in the morning and then contemplate what I read in the car as I drive through God’s beautiful creation of wildlife and mountains. The sacred time will be in the car as I meditate and pray about what I read that morning.
I teach first grade and have to leave at 6:00 am. I used to get up at 5:00 am but wanted to start my day reading my bible. I started getting up at 4:30 and it is amazing how those thirty minutes free up some time for me to have quiet time before heading out the door. My drive to school is always praise and prayer time but I wanted to get the word in at the beginning of the day.
I intend to get up when my husband leaves for work in th mornings instead of sleeping in. That will give me Tim ego get in God’s Word before I have to get the girls to school.
On school nights, my kids have to have their lunches packed, folders in their backpacks and clothes laid out. We aren’t morning people so it helps a ton to have that all done the night before.
Setting an alarm before everyone else will be up is the best way for me to secure some quiet time.
I am so excited to read this to get motivation to start a better morning devotion time. It brought back memories of when I followed through with a morning routine to make sure I got some ME time in before my toddlers would wake up. It was rejuvenating! Getting started is the key. I’m going now to set everything up for in the morning. Thank you!
I like to get up about a half hour before my kids do to read my devotional or work on my Bible study and get a few things done before the chaos starts.
Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve recently fizzled out from my morning routine with God and have been trying to think of ways to make it more feasible. The reminder to start with a smaller time frame is a good place for me to start. Then as I get hungrier for more I may have the perseverance and energy to wake up earlier to have more time. How does God/do we transform a desire to pray with him in the morning into a conviction and devotion?
I have everything set out the night before so I can get the kids on the bus somewhat smoothly. Then I’m able to get to work early and I get to spend time in the Word, in prayer, and journaling with my coffee in my van. It’s a great place to not have distractions!
I’ve recently gotten in the habit of making my lunch the night before during supper clean up this has “lightened my load” a bit in the morning. Tomorrow I will exchange the five minutes that I spend look at my phone for 5 minutes of reading HIS WORD!
I like the idea of setting my alarm to remind me to start bible devotions. I usually set my timer for 10 minutes when I’m praying so I don’t let my mind wander or worry about losing time. But I don’t have a good habit set up to sit down at the same time each morning to study the Word. So I shall start setting an alarm for that. ?
I set an alarm about 1 hour before I need to get ready for work and do my devotional. I am up before the birds so I get to hear everything come to life as the sun rises!
I love the idea of setting my alarm so I don’t miss my time. Thanks for the simple but powerful suggestions.
I am usually waking up getting right into getting the girls ready for school, etc. Then the day gets away from me. I will start by trying to wake up 10 minutes before them and spend some time with God. I have a few devotionals with short entries to start with.
Such good advice! I will implement these three steps starting tomorrow. So excited.
Making myself get things ready the night before and getting to bed early/on time is what really helps my mornings start early/on time and go smoothly. I need to get back to that!
My husband an I get ready for work at the same time but he leaves 20 min before me so when he leaves and the house is completely quiet is when I have my time with God
Ok. Guilty at #2. Just heard in the sermon yesterday about increasing prayer time and told myself I could squeeze it into my morning routine. Thanks for the gracious reminder – even 5 minutes is progress. My morning routine is simply sitting and reading God’s word (from my Bible reading plan) with a cup of coffee, then I write about what God is showing me in my journal.
My normal routine for the past few years has been – wake son for school; start coffee; fold laundry while waiting for coffee. When coffee ready, while waiting for son to finish shower, I read a daily scripture and devotion. Takes about 10 minutes. I have a “daily organization sheet” where I write a brief note about the devotion. By then, it’s time to shower and get ready for the day. I have had to shake up my routine the past couple weeks so I can be at work earlier, so I’m working on rearranging my morning and still get my devotion time in at the beginning. It’s always a work in progress.
I love to drink hot tea in the morning. I use Journey for my devotional time and I have a journal that is for prayer requests. My favorite candle is Stress Relief from Bath and Body Works.
Just to begin and not get sidetracked by the day or social media. Or the child who practices his drums super early. Even though I’ve been on this Christ followimg journey for years and teach at church, faciltiate in real life Bible groups and co lead an online group I still stall frequently at personal reading, studying time. Love this post and the tips. Great giveaway!! Sounds like a great book!
Word before world! I set up my Bible app to get the verse of the day, every morning. And when I get it, I share the image. It takes a couple minutes but makes a difference in my day, and hopefully others.
I love getting up early before my family is up. Sometimes this doesnt always happen with my one year old. If he hears me he is also up and thinks its time to play. Having a baby has sure changed my morning routine with God. Sometimes if i cant get up before everyone, i try to make it apart of me and my babys morning together by having christian music or videos on in the background. A i can say is i want more of a routine with God in my morning and this seems like a great place to start!
I read my bible and do my devotions right after my husband leaves for work in the morning while my daughter is still sleeping. I find that I am most awake and my mind is less prone to wander during this time.
Have my house or at least the area where I read cleaned up the night before and as you did, coffee ready to go. My messy areas usually distracts me from focusing on what I’m reading.
Love your ideas.
I would like to know what I am going to study/do during my morning devotional time. I tend to flit around and not settle on one thing so the time becomes disjointed and unhelpful. It feels “cluttered”. I love the idea of having a place set up and everything I need there…Bible, pen, etc.
This sounds perfect for what I need to keep on track with my daily devotions
don’t turn your cell phone on at all until after you have had time spent with God.
Setting an alarm for quiet time was a real game changer for me. There have been times I’ve had to hit the snooze on the alarm, but I don’t miss it anymore which is definitely a change in habit for me!
I am constantly trying to find ways to cut down on time it takes us to get ready in the morning. I always get all the kids stuff together in the morning and set them up for success but never do that for myself. So I will add getting my clothing, accessories, etc together to the list as well as packing my lunch, setting my bag up all together by the door and prepping my breakfast. This way maybe when I set the alarm for :30 earlier I will be able to relax before diving in.
I head to work earlier so that I can have some quiet time at my desk before people start coming in.
Set my alarm for 30 min earlier and an alarm for my planned start time for my morning study.
Wake up 15 minutes earlier so that I can have devotional time before the kids wake up
I make sure I lay out my clothes the night before and have all my morning time materials collected and in the spot where I will do my quiet time.
I tend to try to do too much, and what I really need to do is focus on one thing in the morning. Leave deeper study for evening time. The evening time just never seems to materialize. Praying and thanking God for you and all you do.
I’d like to pack my son’s lunch the night before and have the table set for breakfast before I go to bed!