5 Simple Steps to Create a Morning Routine You Love

Morning routines are an important part of our lives. Take a look at My Morning Routine, where people from all over the world share their morning routines. Consider your own morning routine. What do you do? How intentional are you about what you do each morning?

My morning routine

I have been thinking a lot about my morning routine, and I am working on being more mindful and intentional about creating a morning routine that I love.

My ideal morning begins with connecting with God, and reflecting on my hopes and purposes for the day. This takes some work and intention on my end.

Before I tend to the urgent tasks calling for attention - helping the kids, checking email, making coffee, etc. - I still myself, I take a few deep breaths, and I turn toward God. I acknowledge his presence, allowing my spirit to be aware of him. As my spirit settles into this moment with God, I silently engage with him, "I am here, Lord. Speak to me." In the early morning, this is all I can muster by way of prayer. Some mornings I might hear a word from God, or receive an impression from him that frames my day. Other mornings I simply sense a deeper connection between my spirit and God's Spirit.

A practice of being present to God

Though my morning routine is simple, it is a sacred encounter between my soul and God. In the midst of mundane life, my morning routine becomes space to fix my eyes on God, entrust myself and my day into his hands, and receive whatever he wants to give me.

Abide in me, he whispers. His invitation to us is to remain and dwell in him because that is the place where we find life. And in doing so, we are able to live fruitful lives. Each morning is a new opportunity to abide in God's presence, to allow his voice to shape us, and to live the abundant life. 

Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:4-5

Without intentionally making space to connect with God, however, many of us have mornings filled with other tasks. We might immediately jump into the long list of to-dos, or respond to the constant call of social media. It is a challenge to create sacred space in our noisy, urgent world. 

I encourage you to intentionally create a morning routine that you love. Spend your morning doing something that helps you encounter God and focus your attention on what is important to you. It could be brief, or for an extended amount of time.

Here are 5 simple steps to create a morning routine that you love

1. Think about how you want to begin your day.

What allows you to connect with God? What helps you focus your attention on what is most important to you? Don't make this over-complicated. Simply think about your ideal morning routine. I like to think about my morning routine as a time to mindfully focus, and decide on the main things I'd like to do that day.

2. Set aside the time. 

Consider when in your morning you can set aside. What works for your life, natural rhythms, and other responsibilities? How can you make space for some quiet and solitude? You might try a particular time, and then adjust it as necessary. The important thing is that you find what works for you. Usually, I have a short moment of connecting with God before helping my kids get ready and eat breakfast. Later in the morning when our house has slowed and quieted, I might have a larger amount of time to pray, reflect, and plan for the day.

3. Do something simple that helps you engage with God.

You could say simple prayer, like my, "I am here, Lord. Speak to me." I do this in bed in my pajamas. Or you could settle into a favorite chair and read Scripture. You might love connecting with God during an outside walk. If you thrive by mindfully meditating, do yoga or drink tea in God's presence. The goal here is to connect with God and become aware of his presence. 

4. Listen. 

Listen to your soul's stirrings and longings. Listen for any words or impressions from God. Listen without any agenda, with an open posture. God might speak to you, or you might gain an insight or directive. Whatever you hear, receive it as a gift. 

5. Take your sacred moment with God into the rest of your day.

Trust that whatever you experienced with God was good. Allow the nourishment of the moment to fuel your day, your interactions, and your sense of self. Know that he is with you in each moment and activity.

What is your morning routine? How do you connect with God through your rhythms of the morning? As you create your morning routine, let me know what you experience, any questions that arise, or bits of wisdom you gain. Please share in the comments.

If you enjoyed reading this, check out How to Develop a Rhythm for Life.

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