If there is one thing I can point out that makes all the difference in my day... it’s this.

Hi SF fam,

If there is one thing I can point out that makes all the difference in my day… it’s this.

There have been seasons where my mornings looked different. I used to wake up, do a quick devotional and Pilates before starting my day - and I loved it. But lately, something has shifted.

If I do it - even for just 10 minutes - my whole day feels lighter, calmer, more grounded.

What is it?

It’s not exercise. It’s not rushing through a devotional.

It’s sitting in silence with the Lord - journaling, praying, and reading His Word. Just me and Him.

My ideal is 30–40 minutes, but even 10 minutes makes all the difference. It takes commitment - going to bed a little earlier, resisting the urge to scroll - but it feeds my soul in a way nothing else can.

And here’s the incredible part: research confirms what the Spirit already shows us in practice.

• A 2023 review of meditation found improvements in immune function, inflammatory response, blood pressure regulation, healthier aging, and even benefits for chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension.

• Reflecting on New Testament scripture - meditating on the Word - has also been shown to reduce stress reactivity in the body, lowering blood pressure and heart rate in challenging situations.

But for me, it’s not about the statistics. It’s about the difference I feel. And it’s not something I do because I must - I do it because I want to.

When I don’t, I notice. My soul feels unsettled. I’m quicker to reach for distractions, or even food, when what I’m really craving is God’s presence.

“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” – Psalm 90:14

Here’s something I’ve also learned: if you are physically not feeling well, it’s so much harder to wake up early and spend time with God. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is to take care of your physical body - so that your body supports your spirit, instead of holding it back.

And why is it that when life gets busy, this is the first thing we tend to neglect - the time to connect with our Maker? John Mark Comer, in his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, believes we are the most distracted generation yet. And I get it - devices, TVs, notifications everywhere. That’s why boundaries play a massive role. This time with God is where everything else flows from - our peace, our energy, our clarity, even our health.

Action step: And again, this is not an all-or-nothing approach. Your time with God might look like:

• Playing more worship music in your house

• Taking 10 minutes in the morning to thank God for three things

• Holding a sick child in your arms - or a crying baby - and talking to God in the midst of it

Every small step counts. Your soul will notice, and slowly, everything else in your day will flow from it.

Your soul gets hungry too. The question is: what are we feeding it with?

Love,

Minette