We all have our way of diving, tiptoeing, or sideways-sliding into the day. When I think about it, I laugh because I used to be such a morning person. These days, not so much. I wake up early but it takes time for me to be, if I’m honest, nice. Chalk it up to age, being post-menopausal, or whatever but I have to ease into the day for the sake of my whole family. I thought it would be fun to share how I do things and open up conversation to hear from you! So, welcome to my morning routine…
I am usually awakened by the rustle of sheets as my husband crawls out of bed to get ready for work. Early morning light streams through the shutters as I turn over, pull the quilt back up to my chin, and steal a few more minutes until he kisses me goodbye. Then it is my turn. I slip into the kitchen to make a cup of mushroom coffee, gathering my stack of morning books as I wait for the kettle to boil. Then, depending on the weather, I carry everything to my chosen spot to begin the day’s reading and prayer.
If the air isn’t soupy with humidity (as it has been lately, unfortunately) or too cold (which is often the case in winter) I settle into the old wicker sofa on our screened porch. If the weather is not friendly, I head to the big leather chair in my library. Wherever I land, I have a candle nearby. I strike a match, hold it to the wick until the flame catches, and then…do nothing.
In a world of rushing to complete to-do lists and pressure to get everything done despite constant interruption, this moment of stillness is vital. When I fail to give myself this time, I feel it all day.
Beside our home, just down a sloped, rocky embankment, are two ponds separated by a wooden bridge. A family of geese and, sometimes, a gray heron model this stillness for me. They watch from the water or from the shore, often facing the sunrise as the light grows brighter and warms the morning air. Together we sit and feel the breeze, notice the sky, listen to the birdsong, and allow the scents of all four seasons to fill our lungs.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’”
(Acts 17:24-27 NIV)
As I feel my mind come to a place of rest, I open my journal. Each day I prepare the pages to document my scripture readings, what stands out to me from today’s readings, notes, a gratitude list, what and who I will pray for, and a section to write about what is on my mind. I also create a section that has been incredibly grounding for me: noticing, choosing, and letting go.
Noticing, Choosing, Letting Go
In this section, I intentionally get out of my head and return to the moment. I notice what I see, hear, and feel. Maybe a bird is singing. Sometimes there is a tight muscle in my back or I have a headache. Many mornings there is tension gripping my chest, making my breathing shallow. I force myself to notice these things and write them down. I take the time to address discomfort and soothe what needs to be calmed.
Next, I take hold of the day by making a choice. It can really be anything: Peace, joy, to trust God with whatever is worrying me, to love well even when it is hard, or maybe just to go for a walk. But I make a choice and write it down.
Then I decide what I am letting go. I have found this to be vital to my well-being. Maybe it is worry. Fear. Regret. The desire to control a situation. Disappointment over the choices of people I care about. Grief over what might have been but is not. I write it down and let it go. If I can’t control it, I should not try to hold it.
At this point, I turn to my prayers for the day. Sometimes I use the daily prayers provided by 24-7 Prayer, but I’ve realized how easily I get distracted by using my phone or computer. So, lately, I’ve returned to analog methods for my prayer time…various prayer books I’ve collected over the years. Along with the Book of Common Prayer, I intersperse Celtic Daily Prayers, Every Moment Holy, and others. Currently, I am using Celtic Benediction by Philip Newell. I’ll link to all of these below.
If you are not familiar with liturgical prayer, you may wonder why I don’t just talk to God. The answer is a bit complicated. In fact, I plan to write a separate essay about this very topic. But the short answer is…I do. Liturgy is a tool. Written prayers serve as a cushion upon which to lay my head as I sit in the Father’s presence. They don’t replace expository prayer. In fact, they fuel it.
Finally, I settle in to read. This year I am reading through The Bible Project’s reading plan which has been a wonderful resource for deeper study. Through the daily devotionals and videos, I am learning to identify the threads woven from Genesis to Revelation that point to Jesus. Each day’s readings and videos take around twenty minutes, and it is time well-spent. One struggle I have is my tendency to skim over the readings just to check the box. I know I’ve done that when I realize I have no idea what I just read. It happens more often than I like to admit, but when I catch myself doing this I intentionally slow down. Pay attention. Note what stands out and write it down.
Then I close my Bible and journal, restack the books, and take a moment to breathe once again. As I make a second cup of coffee, the peace of that holy space goes with me. I can tap into it at any time if I will only stop and remember, be still and know.
If you have a morning routine, I would love to know what you do to begin your day. Will you share it here in the comments? Maybe your routine will inspire someone who is struggling to figure theirs out.
Here are the links I promised above:
Every Moment Holy-https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/every-moment-holy-pocket-edition-bundle-1
Book of Common Prayerhttps://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/
Celtic Daily Prayers-https://a.co/d/08byYaXX
Celtic Benediction-https://a.co/d/0abzroSf
It often feels like the world is on fire. Everyone is so angry. I’ve noticed it even when driving my boring route to the grocery store. It only takes a one second delay when the light turns green for someone to pound their horn and give you the finger. Lovely.
How do we combat this? I don’t have easy answers, but I do know that, as God’s beloved kids, we don’t have to be like that. We can, and should, choose to model patience and love everywhere we go. You never know what impact that will have on the angry person in line at the grocery store.
Our pond and the land surrounding it has been full of Canadian Geese enjoying what appears to be a family reunion! Are they messy? Yes. Do I love them? Also yes.
Reading: I’m currently reading Magnifica Humanitas: Humanity in its Grandeur by Pope Leo XIV. It is a deep dive into what it means to be human in the age of AI. I keep my highlighter nearby to capture the countless nuggets of wisdom in this book. So much to chew on.
Listening: “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison. I’m obsessed thanks to and now searching for a vinyl version of Van Morrison’s greatest hits!
Watching: I just finished “Riot Women” on BritBox. The language is pretty bad (ok…it is REALLY bad) but the storyline is incredible. It deals with so many issues including menopause, mid-life crises, adoption, betrayal, failure, and friendship.
And Punk Music.
SO GOOD.
When I was thirteen I had the prettiest record/cassette player/radio. It was white with pastel blue and pink accents and had two separate speakers connected with white wires. Super cool. They don’t make that record player any more, but I did score a pretty pink Crosley recently that now lives in my office. I love it. There is something about the sound NOT being fabulous that soothes my soul. Lately, though, I’ve noticed a resurgence of cassette players for sale on various online shops. Now, listen ‘y’all. I’m all about analog but DO YOU NOT REMEMBER having to rewind the dumb things with a pencil or the tape breaking in the middle of your favorite song? I’ll stick with vinyl, thank you very much!
“The creative intelligence of humanity is a gift that can alleviate suffering and open up new possibilities, but it must remain ordered toward the common good, justice, the care of the vulnerable and creation.”
-Pope Leo XIV (p. 71 of Magnifica Humanitas: Humanity in its Grandeur)
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