First things first: Creating intentional mornings
How do you start the day?
When your eyes open for the first time in the morning, do you immediately roll over and pick up your phone? If you’re like most people, your phone is right next to your bed, and it’s possible you check your email or social media before your feet even hit the floor.
The way you start your day can have a big impact on how the rest of your day unfolds. As a “good Christian girl,” I’ve often thought I should start every day with reading scripture because it's the "right" thing to do. I’ve allowed a lot of shame and guilt to build up around this mindset as I struggled to build a solid habit of Bible study into my morning routine.
I must confess that I own an embarrassing number of devotional books, journals, and Bible reading plans due to my efforts to build this morning habit. I know there is a huge difference in how I handle the day when I start it with scripture and prayer (instead of with my phone or jumping straight into work), but my ADHD brain can't stick with one thing for too long.
If God is truly first in my life, it’s important to start every single day with Him, right? For some people, it works well to choose one reading plan, one book of the Bible, one devotional book, or one section of scripture to read through. For my neurodiverse brain, I’ve discovered I need to have several options that I alternate between.
Sometimes I am able to read and journal through full chapters of the bible. Other days I can read a short devotional from a book that has 30 days of quick thoughts, scriptures, and prayers. And what a blessing to be able to listen to a meditation or read a quick devotional on the Dawn app.
It makes such a difference when I focus on what and Who is most important before I try to tackle the day. When life gets hard, starting each day with scripture makes it easier to remember that I have a safe place to go when it feels like everything is too much. God is the strongest shield to protect me when I'm waging war in this broken world. My hope is in His word because it is full of love and promises. I won't typically find reminders of those promises in my email inbox, social media DMs, or to-do list.
This time with God’s word can be as long as I need based on the day and what my mental and emotional capacity is. The grace I now have for myself is that I don't have to finish a whole book before jumping to another one. The goal is to start the day with the word of God in my eyes, ears, mind, and heart so I am focused on what is most important throughout the rest of my day.
Scripture for meditation
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path... You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
Psalm 119:105,114 (NIV)
Prompts for reflection and journaling
How do you start your days?
What would you like to add to or remove from your morning routine to invite God to join you there?
Where can you allow grace for yourself when it comes to spending time in God’s word?
Continue your devotion with a daily practice in the Dawn app
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