Life has settled into some semblance of a routine lately, and even though that hasn't necessarily decreased the amount of stress I experience when working on course prep or fitting in the things required to keep the household running smoothly, at least I know when to expect those stresses. For example, Wednesdays are crazy, but I have a chance to breathe and reset on Fridays (and watch way too many episodes of the new season of Daredevil - I definitely took advantage of that dropping on a Friday). Figuring out a routine has also allowed me to make sure things like regular exercise don't fall by the wayside, crowded out by other demands on my time or by the fact that some days I just want to crash.
Routines aren't very exciting, though, and they don't make for great blog posts. I doubt any of you care which days are for which chores, or which evenings are set aside for time with Trevor, or which mornings are ones where I can sleep in. Routines are also a bit mind-numbing - it's easy to settle into them and not think too much about life. And yet there's also beauty in routines, especially if you don't run through them completely on autopilot.
Starting the day with a healthy breakfast and a chapter of a good book helps me find the focus I need to be productive from there on out, and ending the day by reading the Bible helps me put everything in perspective and sleep soundly. Taking the dog for his evening walk is a chance to enjoy some fresh air and connect with Trevor, and making the bed or doing the laundry brings a little bit of order into a chaotic world. Even course prep can be an opportunity to expand my knowledge and understanding, improve my communication skills, and find joy in a job well done, all while appreciating the work of skillful musicians.
Every little part of my daily and weekly routines is a chance to redeem that tiny piece of life, to practice holiness and pursue peace and glorify God. And that transforms my ordinary, everyday routine into something that can be truly beautiful.