Routine: A Gift We Often Underrate

Routine. It sounds mundane, doesn’t it? The word itself conjures images of monotony, the predictable tick-tock of an unchanging clock. But as I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—routine is more than just a boring task. It’s a lifeline, a tool of clarity, peace, and order, and dare I say, a reflection of God’s divine nature.

For years, I lived under the deception that impromptu living was the pinnacle of freedom and excitement. You know, the kind of life where spontaneity reigns supreme, and planning seems like a boring friend at a lively party. I used to think, Why lock myself into a rigid schedule when I can just go with the flow? The problem was, this so-called “flow” often felt more like being tossed about by waves in the middle of a storm.

I remember those chaotic days vividly. My husband and children, bless them, were often “missing in action”—or at least, that’s how it felt. I’d assume they’d be in one place, only to discover they’d decided to be somewhere else entirely. It drove me nuts. I wanted to scream, Where are you when I need you? But, truth be told, I didn’t always make it clear where I was, either. In retrospect, I expected order from everyone else while I embraced the chaos of an unstructured life. What a hypocrite, right?

Here’s where the Bible came in to convict me—and boy, did it do so with both power and humor.

God is Not a God of Confusion

First Corinthians 14:33 hit me like a ton of bricks: “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” That verse stared at me, bold as brass, and I had no choice but to confront the reality of my life. My impromptu, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants lifestyle wasn’t peaceful; it was confusing. I thought I was living in freedom, but the truth was, I was drowning in unpredictability. I blamed everyone else for my frustration, but in reality, I had neglected the principles of order and discipline God so clearly outlines in His Word.

Take Genesis, for example. When God created the world, He didn’t do it haphazardly. He didn’t wake up on day three and think, Oh, maybe I’ll slap some water and land together and see what happens. No! He had a plan. Day one: light and darkness. Day two: sky and sea. Day three: land and vegetation. And on it went, step by step, day by day. God established a routine, a rhythm. And when it was all done, He rested. Even rest was intentional.

Order Brings Freedom

You see, routine isn’t the enemy of freedom; it’s the foundation of it. It’s the guardrails that keep us from veering off into the ditches of chaos. When I started to embrace this truth, everything began to change. My family and I decided to implement simple routines: dinner together at a set time, a shared calendar for everyone’s schedules, and regular check-ins. And let me tell you, the peace that came from knowing where everyone was—and from them knowing where I was—was nothing short of miraculous.

The Bible reinforces this in Ecclesiastes 3:1: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” God designed life to have seasons and rhythms, and when we align ourselves with that, we experience a sense of stability and peace that chaos can never offer.

The Humorous Truth About Impromptu Living

Now, let’s talk about the humor in all this. I used to pride myself on being “spontaneous,” but honestly, most of my so-called spontaneity was just poor planning in disguise. I’d forget appointments, double-book myself, and then blame others for my stress. Once, I even showed up at a friend’s house unannounced, expecting a warm welcome, only to find her in pajamas with a half-eaten bowl of cereal. She looked at me like I was crazy, and I thought, Maybe I am.

Looking back, I realize how ridiculous it was. Imagine if Noah had been impromptu about building the ark. “Oh, God, I’ll get to it tomorrow. Or maybe next week. No rush, right?” The flood would’ve come, and Noah and his family would’ve been swimming with the fish! But Noah obeyed God’s instructions precisely, step by step, plank by plank. Routine saved his life.

How Routine Reflects God’s Nature

God’s nature is one of order. From the rising and setting of the sun to the changing of the seasons, everything in creation operates within a routine. Even Jesus, during His time on earth, demonstrated the importance of routine. Luke 5:16 tells us, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Often. Not occasionally, not when He felt like it, but often. He had a routine of prayer and communion with His Father, and that routine sustained Him.

When I started to model my life after this principle, I found a newfound joy in routine. I began my mornings with prayer and Bible reading, and suddenly, my day felt anchored. I exercised regularly, planned meals ahead of time, and even scheduled downtime. And you know what? My family noticed the difference. They saw a calmer, more focused version of me, and they started embracing routines too. It was contagious.

The Gift of Predictability

There’s a beautiful predictability in routine that brings comfort. When my children know that I’ll be there to tuck them in at night, it builds trust. When my husband knows we’ll have a date night every Friday, it strengthens our bond. Predictability isn’t boring; it’s reassuring. It’s a gift.

Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Routine helps us number our days. It reminds us that time is precious and that how we spend it matters. It’s not about being rigid or inflexible; it’s about being intentional.

Embracing Routine with Joy

If you’re like I was—living in the deception that spontaneity is king—I challenge you to rethink that mindset. Start small. Establish a morning routine, set regular family check-ins, or plan your week ahead. And don’t be afraid to infuse humor into it. My family laughs about our routines all the time. We have a running joke that if we’re five minutes late for dinner, I’ll start a search party. But deep down, they know it’s because I care.

So, let’s embrace routine, not as a boring task, but as a reflection of God’s order and a tool for peace. Let’s show our families where we are and know where they are. Let’s anchor our lives in rhythms that bring joy and stability. Because the truth is, routine isn’t the enemy of freedom—it’s the path to it.