Here's a simple daily rhythm to center your thoughts, work, and heart on Christ at the beginning of your day. All you need is five minutes, a pen, and your planner or wall calendar.
I chose "abide" as my word of the year, knowing that my life would change radically with a new baby. I needed to devote some of my time and energy to learning how to abide with Christ in whatever challenges and joys the first year of parenting would bring.
Part of my work with my word of the year is meditating on Jesus' words in light of my own day-to-day life, the tragedies I hear about on the news, and the lives of the people I love (more on that another week).
The other part of the work is establishing some kind of daily rhythm of intentionally abiding with Christ. However, sustaining new habits is a struggle for me. I want to do too many things at once. I come up with way too many new habits. Then, I forget to incorporate them into my existing daily rhythm (but what even is a regular routine with a 10-month-old?!).
If I were to keep track of every minute of my day, it would be a chaotic schedule. 10 minutes of work here, 5 minutes moving Byron from pulling phone cords to his play area there, 2 minutes checking Voxer for work messages, nap time, changing table, unload the dishwasher, get ready for the gym... you get the point. There are very few clear transitions from one task to the other, except for nap time and meals.
So, while I love the idea of taking a few moments to pray or worship God as I go from one type of task to another, it just doesn't work for my schedule right now.
The one rhythm that has emerged from this ever-changing season is what I call a "morning focus."
Simple and straightforward: Morning Focus
Most Sundays, I spend a few minutes in the evening recording meetings, appointments, and goals for the upcoming week. These serve as anchors to control some of the chaos during the day.
Then, in the free space of my weekly calendar, I write a Scripture verse or quote to read every morning to focus me on the purpose of everything I do. Just one verse for one week. I don't need to memorize it or recite it. I don't need to make it pretty and put it on a notecard (although that isn't a bad idea).
It just serves as another anchor to keep my heart, mind, and strength on God as I work, care for Byron, and try to keep the house in order. Because it is so simple, it is a practice that provides fruit and encouragement for me and it is one I can actually maintain.
Verses and Quotes for your Morning Focus
"I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me." John 15:5
What fruit may God want to bear in me today?
Do these tasks bear fruit that reflects my connection to God or the world?
When am I most remaining in Christ? When am I rebelling against Him?
"Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people," Colossians 3:23
"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31
Am I doing this for God, or for the applause of people?
How can I glorify you today, God?
"Worship is any act that allows us to be more in awe of God, more aware of God, or creates space for us to give Him praise." -Jess Connolly, Breaking Free From Body Shame
How can my mothering, work, exercise, and chores be an act of worship today?
How am I more in awe of God when I play with Byron?
How can washing dishes be a space for me to praise God?
Do you have any morning rhythms to put your focus on the Lord? What does "abide in Christ" mean to you?
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