Goodbye 2022, hello 2023! A fresh new year is here and we are ready for it. A new year marks a fresh beginning—a new chapter in our story. With a new chapter comes new opportunities to grow in Jesus. For 2023, we're challenging you to up-level your morning routine, to transform it into something that's peaceful, invigorating, and truly life-giving.
After all, how many of you either don't have a morning routine, or the one you currently have doesn't serve you? If you've been feeling sluggish, aimless, or even stressed first thing in the AM, this post is for you.
In the writing below, I'm unpacking the essentials of a restful morning routine for the Christian woman. These are a mix of both practical and big-picture steps to help you start the day in grace, and yes, experience the greatest year ever.
God has great things for you in '23, LiF sister. It's time you rise early to meet Him. We hope and pray these suggestions serve you and your family. Without further ado, let's get to it.
1. Rise Early
"Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” ~ 1 Samuel 29:10
In good times and bad, there's something to be said for rising early and facing the day.
Once we understand just how precious our time is, we don't want to waste a single moment of it. Throughout Scripture, there are accounts of God's people getting up early to accomplish His will.
Consider how the leaders and armies of the Old Testament rose early to face their enemies and conquer the day, as seen in 2 Kings 19:35 and Isaiah 37:36. While our days are certainly less eventful, there's still something to be said about taking advantage of every moment for God's kingdom.
Last, but certainly not least, consider how Jesus Himself got up early to spend quality time with the Father. In the midst of His incredibly busy ministry, Jesus always made time for silence in solitude first thing in the morning.
"In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there." ~ Mark 1:35
Of course, we understand just how hard it can be to get up early (hello, night owls!). Personally, I struggle with this. However, there have been some helpful life hacks, if you will, that have made this more enjoyable for me.
Practical tips to help you rise early:
- Prep the night before. Yep, preparation is key. Whether this be laying out your clothes, journalling, or even mentally taking inventory of everything that lay ahead.
- Find reasons to get excited. I get it; not every day is something to look forward to. However, it's essential to find something positive, like cooking a delicious breakfast or going out to your local coffee shop to grab your favorite latte.
- Minimize your screen time. Yikes! This is a hard one, but I've found it to be super useful. When I look at days where I sleep in far too late, I can trace it back to the night before, laying in bed scrolling aimlessly for far too long.
2. Bask in God's Creation
"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy." ~ Psalm 96:11-12
Whether the view outside your window is one of stunning snowcapped mountains or a bustling city grid, a whole world of wonders awaits you.
It's true; wondrous things lay in God's beautiful creation. One of the greatest suggestions I can give you today is to get outside and soak in all of our God's creativity and natural beauty.
Theologian Oswald Chambers said it best when he declared, “Everything that God has created is like an orchestra praising Him." We can't help but be inspired, encouraged, listened to. Every sunrise is a reminder of God's faithfulness and steadiness. He never changes, and He never will. This is a sacred promise made to us each morning.
In fact, getting outside is good for your spirit and your physical health. Spending time outside gives our bodies the crucial Vitamin D needed to combat depression as well as regulate our immune system. The more we learn about our body's reaction to the natural world, the more we realize just how purposeful God was in creating us.
3. Prayer & Scripture Reading
"But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you." ~ Psalm 88:13
Nothing new or earth-shattering here—just a humble reminder of the power of prayer, the necessity of prayer.
I don't know about you, but I'm guilty of treating prayer as a last resort, instead of the first line of defense. I think of Oswald Chamber's infamous quote, "We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all."
Instead of stumbling our way throughout the day and just reacting to what happens, imagine the peace to be had in connecting with God first thing in the morning. Prayer was never meant to be a last-ditch effort to feel better after some unforeseen incident. No, it is the bedrock of our relationship with Christ, and it's intended to be a continual conversation with Jesus beginning at first light.
Looking for prayer inspiration? At a loss for what to say?
Here are some ideas:
- The book of Psalms is a great tool for morning prayers, featuring both poems of praise and lament from King David during his reign. They are incredibly beautiful and relatable, too.
- A book of morning devotionals serves as a beloved, timely tool to get your morning dose of grace. A couple worth mentioning is My Utmost for His Highest and Jesus Calling.
4. Gratitude at the Forefront
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Our day shifts for the better when we have a grateful heart.
When we invite thankfulness into our morning, we become more aware of God's very presence. As His creation, nothing is more natural for us than to worship our Lord. This act of gratitude sets us up for success in the best way. It puts us in the correct heart posture, reorients our thinking, and enlightens our perspective.
Consider your typical hierarchy of thought. Perhaps on the typical morning, at the forefront are your basic needs—food, what to wear, work to-do's, and caring for your family or home. None of these things are inherently bad, but when those things are the first on your mind, they can easily spiral out of control to cause stress and misplaced importance.
Mull over this eye-opening (and very relatable) quote from C.S. Lewis, "It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind."
From the moment you open your eyes in the morning—Jesus. When you pour that first cup of delicious hot coffee—Jesus. When you go to wake your kids up in the morning—Jesus. Everything He has done for you, everything He will do. When this is top of mind, you can't help but have a better day.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” ~ Hebrews 12:28-29
Remember His Love
Let Jesus' radical love lead the way into 2023, LiF sister. Continue to call on His name first thing in the morning, no matter rain or shine. Sometimes, the littlest of inspiration can have the biggest impact. That's why we create our stylish (and comfy!) Christian apparel--to remind you of the comforting truths in Scripture.