What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?
Morning rituals , What does the first hour of my day look like? Well… it probably doesn’t look like most people’s.
While many are hitting snooze or stumbling toward their first cup of coffee, my day begins at 4:30 a.m.—yes, you read that right. No snooze button here. I think I’m up before the chickens .
The first thing I do is put together my husband’s lunch for work. It’s my quiet way of showing love before the day even begins.
Then comes my version of a “morning cuppa”… tea. Somewhere along the way, coffee and I decided we needed boundaries in the morning. It seems to tweak my belly now and then especially in the morning . We’re still friends—just later in the day. 😊
With my tea in hand and the house still quiet, I open my Bible. This is my favorite part of the morning. For about 15–20 minutes, I sit in God’s Word, letting it settle into my heart. It’s not rushed, not forced—just a peaceful moment between me and the Lord. Some days, I may write a short blog inspired by what I’ve read, sharing encouragement with others.
Then comes something I’ve learned to truly treasure—stillness.
For about 10 minutes, I sit in silence with positive affirmations and gratitude. I thank God for another day of life. I thank Him for strength, even on the hard days. Living with joint pain can be challenging, exhausting and very often painful, especially in the morning, but sometimes it can be all day long, but I’m grateful nonetheless because I’m still get to enjoy another day on this beautiful earth and I get to talk to my amazing Grandaughter. I thank Him for my family my friends, my job any new opportunities that may come my way, and the sunshine here in Florida (even though I do miss Ohio and the people I love there). Life isn’t perfect hearing in Florida. It can be quite expensive and often very challenging to not want to move back home where things were far less expensive and things were at a little slower pace , it’s not perfect ,far from it—but it is a blessing. And sometimes we just need to slow down long enough to recognize that.
After that peaceful start, reality gently taps me on the shoulder. I check my phone for a few minutes, maybe play a quick game to wake up my brain (because let’s be honest—at 4:30 a.m., it needs a little encouragement), and then it’s time to get ready for the day.
I shower, get dressed, and then wake my husband. We sit together, talk, and have breakfast before he heads off to work. Those simple moments mean more than anything—just starting the day side by side.
Then I clock into my part-time job and step into whatever the day holds.
It may not be a glamorous routine. It may not be trendy. But it’s grounded in faith, gratitude, and intention.
And honestly? That quiet time with God before the world wakes up… it changes everything.
Joyful-Echoes 