Proverbs 31:15 (KJV) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens
Proverbs 31:15 (The Message) She’s up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
Proverbs 31:15 (Darby) And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
Benjamin Franklin once stated, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."
Many organizational businesses will tell you that one way to be more productive is by rising early.
C.H Spurgeon said, "The early morning hour should be dedicated to praise: do not the birds set us the example?"
One thing I have noticed on this journey thus far is that early mornings are the most peaceful. Those moments when the rest of the house is still sleeping and you have zero distractions. My family is my greatest blessing, but once everyone is up, the day consists of being a caretaker-- almost immediately. That hour or two in the morning before everyone awakes gives me time to be my own caretaker (before moving on to doing things to prepare for our day.)
Waking up early is healthy for us (As long as we are not staying up all hours of the night.) Health Ambition lists 7 benefits to waking up early:
1. Waking up early correlates with better grades. (If you’re studying, you should know that research conducted by Texas University found that students who consistently woke up early each day actually scored better test scores)
2. Waking up early helps you sustain a better diet. People that sleep late often skip breakfast; however, this is dangerous because your body needs breakfast for the energy and nutrients it provides.
3. Waking up early enhances your productivity. This is because there are less distractions in the morning; after a night of sleep, your brain is recharged and ready to work; early risers are better at making decisions; and it gives you more energy for the rest of the day.
4. Waking up early gives you better mental health. The first hour of the day and how you spend it usually sets the tone for the rest of the day! This is so important to remember! How are you spending your first hour of the day? Also, waking up early reduces stress because you are not rushing around. (Rushing is seriously one of my least favorite things- it steals my peace and immediately gives me anxiety!) Morning people are also usually more positive and optimistic!
5. Waking up early gives you more time to exercise. By exercising first thing in the morning, you are not going to let a tiring work day or social plans after work get in the way of your workout. Exercising also helps get you out of that sleepy mood in the morning!!
6. Waking up early improves your quality of sleep. By waking up early, you will generally have a better sleep routine. By waking up earlier, you will tend to go bed earlier as well. According to many sleep experts, it’s important to establish a proper sleep routine to improve the quality of your sleep as this helps to set your body’s “internal clock” to establish a routine - making it easier for you to sleep and wake naturally.
7. Waking up early helps you to enjoy quiet time. There is so much power behind the quiet time in the morning! There are hardly any distractions- these quiet, peaceful time can help you to focus on rest of the day. It helps you to prepare and become emotionally stable for whatever the day may bring.
The Proverbs 31 woman knew the power in waking up early. I can imagine her waking up, spending time with the Lord so that she could gain strength to care for her family for the rest of the day, and then she spent time preparing for their day- laying out clothes, making breakfast, cleaning, organizing.
Let us remember the power in waking early- in organizing- in preparing- in caring for our family- in caring for ourselves!
One of the reasons I LOVE waking up before everyone else is I get that 30-60 minutes to focus on my soul and my heart. As a wife and mother, we sometimes give, give, give, give, give all day and as we said yesterday, it is so hard to give from an empty pitcher! FILL your soul in the mornings. Fill it with good things! Jesus, the Word, peaceful music, exercise, reading, the sunrise, coffee... whatever makes your soul burst! Fill it with that. You deserve it.. and your family deserves a woman who has truly cared for herself!
Next, focus on your family. What needs done for the day so that you aren't rushing around? Does food need prepped? How about clothes? Does laundry need done for the next day? Whatever it takes to create a peaceful environment for those around you-- be that for your loved ones.
A peaceful life is what I am striving for-- and I am sure you feel the same way! I pray that God will bless all of us with a healthy, happy life.. full of early mornings, His presence, and whatever makes your heart happy!!
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