Oh no, it’s the Morning!
First of all, I am NOT a morning person and therefore a morning routine is bit of a challenge. Ever since I was in elementary school, I can remember not wanting to get out of bed to go to school. I was the one that pressed the snooze button endlessly until Mom would finally come in and shout, “Time to go!”
Thirty years later, I’m still not a morning person. On a good day, it takes my brain at least an hour to be fully functional; and that’s with a cup of coffee. I am that person. I need (or at least I’m pretty sure I need) 8-10 hours of sleep each night. The hard part, aside from the obvious of having little ones, I’m a very light sleeper; I can hear a mouse tip-toeing to cheese!
The Morning Routine that stops me from being grumpy!
Since having children, I know that a grumpy morning for me, means the rest of my family is going to have a grumpy morning; I don’t like that feeling. Learning how to have the discipline to get up before the kids is a continual struggle. Yet, the struggle is worth it. Getting some quiet time with the Lord before all the hustle and bustle of the day; a time to breath in deep spiritually and physically. It’s so good when I get that time to reflect on the specific mission and ministry that the Lord has set before me.
When my alarm goes off, I often have to preach to myself, saying “This is the day the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it.” (Psalm 118:24). Then I repeat, “Ok, Maxine, REJOICE AND BE GLAD! Now get up! You got this! Oh Lord, please provide strength and energy for the day.” These little daily habits of jump starting my day can change my attitude for the whole day. Constantly reminding myself to “Rejoice and be glad.” And then it finally happens! Three snoozes, ten Rejoice-and-Be-Glad-in-Its later, I’m out of bed!
After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I head down stairs and pour myself a cup of hot water with honey and lemon (my morning detox drink). David is usually already there, either starting on the kids breakfast or making coffee. He’s a morning person and flying around in a way that doesn’t make any sense to me! I don’t get it, he can just jump out of bed at 5:30AM and be fully alert! Not to mention that he’s a deep sleeper and can often be asleep within 45 seconds of getting into bed! So not fair.
I can’t help but notice that something about David and me being up first and setting the day off right that helps the kids have a Rejoice-and-Be-Glad-in-It kind of day. There’s usually only 5-10 minutes of precious quiet time between the time I’m ready and when the kids march down the hallway to our room. Those 5-10 minutes make all the difference in the world!
My Night-Before Prep Checklist!
Our morning routine doesn’t just start at 6:30AM; it starts the night before. To the extent that we remember and have energy, we try to do as much prep work the night before. Our night-before prep work includes:
- Packing Lunches
- Putting out clothes for the next day
- Packing up homework and backpacks
- Get shoes out
- Clear dishes off the counter (David’s HUGE pet peeve)
- Shower the kids
It may seem like a lot to do, but all in all, it’s about 25 minutes of preparation that saves a world of frustration and helps us to keep each other rejoicing and being glad in the day that the Lord has given us!
The morning routine ends with putting on shoes, and buckling into the car or hanging out on the driveway till carpool shows up. Finding joy in the Lord first is so key to each day. Whether my day goes beautifully or ends with tears, the Lord is still good. As God continues to refine me, I’m learning to find real joy in Him.
It’s getting late now and I need my full-nights rest *wink wink*.
Sleep well friends! As tomorrow we shall rejoice and be glad in it.
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