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Starting the Day Right

  • Ryan Duncan What topic related to Christianity, faith, and the Bible is trending online and in social media today?
  • Updated Sep 09, 2013

Summer has officially ended and we are now making our way into the first days of Fall. For many families, this means an inevitable change in routine. Children will be starting school, new projects will begin at work, and mornings will become a slightly busier time of day. As writer and blogger Kathi Lipp states, it doesn’t take much for these mornings to dissolve into chaos, which is why she encourages readers to plan ahead for the next day. In a recent blog post titled Getting Out The Door, Lipp shares a few of her secrets for the would-be Morning Person.                    

1. Have a night before checklist

  • Charge everything you need for the next day (phone, laptop, iPad, iPod etc.)
  • Defrost something for tomorrow night’s dinner in the fridge (so you don’t have to think about it in the morning.)
  • Lay out your clothes for the next day (including shoes)
  • Set your coffee maker up and prep as much of your breakfast as you can the night before

It’s amazing how small changes and a little dedication can make all the difference come the morning. Singles and couples will likely find this article presents a useful way to beat the early traffic or maybe grab a few extra minutes in the bathroom. The same can’t be said for parents with children. As a new semester of school begins, the morning rush will be only part of the battle in days to come. Rebecca Jordan, in a recent article, encourages Christian parents to not only help prepare children for the new year but to pray for them as well. One example is for protection,  

Prayers for Protection (2 Thessalonians 3:3; Psalm 46:1; John 17:15; Psalm 91)

Lord, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my kids (grandkids). Keep evil far from them, and help them to trust You as their refuge and strength. I pray You will guard their minds from harmful instruction, and grant them discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make them strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help them to find rest in Your shadow, as they live in the spiritual shelter You provide for them. Let them know that the only safe place is in Jesus, and that their home on earth is only temporary.

As we move closer to the holiday season, it is important that we take what time we have left to prepare, both spiritually and physically. Life will soon grow hectic as stores begin throwing up decorations and commercials start offering special season-deals. However, we can also anticipate time with family and reflection on our many blessings. And that is something to look forward to.

*Ryan Duncan is the Culture Editor for Crosswalk.com