I’m a creature of habit … I have a certain routine I follow every morning in order to insure that I get on track (although I seldom STAY on track!) and begin the day with the right perspective and attitude! Without this routine I’ll find myself well into the day and suddenly realize that I haven’t spent time with God and His Word, which helps to insulate me from the cynicism and negativity that seem to swirl all around, clouding my outlook and bringing me down.

So to help me face the day with HOPE and positivity, here’s what I do:

I wake without an alarm, almost always by 5:30am … I love watching the sun come up, shedding His light on my world!

The very first thing I do is make my bed. Now this is something that gets a few smirks and giggles from my family. “Why make the bed, you’re just going to mess it up again tonight?” Well, the made-up bed brings a sense of peace and order into my life, setting the tone of the day ahead.

Next I brew a cup of coffee and head back to my room where my quiet corner awaits. It’s there that I settle down with 3 books — my Bible, my Kindle, and whatever other “real” book I’m reading at the time.

I begin by reading a little devotional for the day that includes a passage of scripture and a commentator’s take on the passage. It’s amazing to me how often that short reading hits me right where I am, giving me a new insight into a situation, circumstance, or problem that I’m facing. Often those few words, expounding on God’s Word, will shine a light right were I need it. The reading ushers in a few breaths of prayer as I speak to God about what I’ve read and listen for His response, which may be nothing more than a sense of peace, joy, and comfort — but what more is there!

Then I pick up my Kindle which holds my “Through the Bible in a Year” … I’ve read the Bible through in a year a couple of times before, but this year, using the Kindle, has been much easier to stay on schedule. I don’t know why, but it works and I’m sticking with it. Reading the Bible through on a plan like this ensures that I don’t miss anything. It would be easy to skip the “begets” and unpronounceable names if I weren’t using a plan, and although I don’t know why they’re there, I believe the Bible is God’s Word and for some reason He wants me to read it ALL!

Also on my Kindle is a new little book called “Savor: Living abundantly where you are, as you are” by Shauna Niequist. This little book is a refreshingly real look at life with all it’s flaws and warts, but with a message of love and HOPE. Short, one-page devotions are sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but they always point me back to how God uses friends and family, and even food (lots of recipes interspersed throughout!), to give me HOPE for the day ahead.

After I close my Kindle, I pick up a “real” book and read a chapter or two! I’ll share a little from the book I’m currently reading in a bit.

My quiet reading time usually takes around an hour, and by 7am Mollie and I head out for a brisk walk around the field. That morning walk is my praise and worship time. I’ve tried listening to praise music, but I’ve found that the music of the wind in the trees and the birds singing brings me much closer to the Creator than anything pulsing through my ear buds! So I walk and talk to the Lord … I praise Him and thank Him, but I also vent and cry and beg for wisdom while I’m striding around that big, old field. I come back in the house, feed the dog, head to the shower, and start the rest of by day, primed with HOPE, and ready to face whatever life tosses my way.

Now don’t get the wrong idea here … I’m not a happy-go-lucky Pollyanna through my day … most days I fuss and fume and grip and complain, too! But I shudder to think what a mess I’d be if I didn’t get started on the HOPE track in the morning … But, wait, I do know what I mess I’d be, because when I miss my morning routine, it is abundantly clear to me and everyone around me that I didn’t get my daily dose of HOPE!

Two more things before I close.

First – this routine works for me NOW … it wouldn’t have been possible when I was raising kids or working a 9 to 5 job. So don’t hear me say that this is what YOU should do … this is what works for me, and you should find a routine that works for you so your day gets started with HOPE, too!

Second – just a quick note about my current “real” book. I’m reading a little book called “First Thing Every Morning” (What a coincidence, right?) that my BFF gave me a few weeks ago. Today there was a quote that really struck me as I thought about prayer. See what you think of this quote by Carl Bates:

“There came a time in my life when I earnestly prayed, ‘God, I want Your power!’ Time wore on and the power did not come. One day the burden was more than I could bear. ‘God, why haven’t You answered the prayer?’ God seemed to whisper back His simple reply, ‘With plans no bigger than yours, you don’t need My power.'”

That stopped me in my tracks! Am I powerless because my plans are too little? Hmmm … what do you think about this quote?