Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things… but still felt off?
That was me. As a mom, wife, and business owner, I had seasons where I was busy all day long—checking off to-dos, showing up for everyone, building my business… but still feeling empty.
I believed in Jesus, but I wasn’t starting with Him.
And that made all the difference.
And that made all the difference.
When I Realized I Needed to Start with Jesus
I’ve been talking to the Lord since the day I gave Him my heart. But I’ll be honest—there have been seasons where I wasn’t spending consistent time in His Word.
The turning point came when we were living at the motocross track. I was trying to come out of depression and desperately needed to shift my mindset. One Sunday, we visited a church, and the pastor preached about returning to your first love.
It was like he was speaking straight to my heart.
God gently reminded me:
“You don’t need something new—you need Me.”
God gently reminded me:
“You don’t need something new—you need Me.”
Around that same time, I also went back to Celebrate Recovery for a couple times. I knew it would be a safe space where I could be honest and find encouragement. And it was. Between that church message and the CR meeting, God showed me that I couldn’t keep going in my own strength.
I needed to start with Jesus.
I needed to start with Jesus.
What Happens When I Don’t Start with Jesus
When I don’t take time to meet with Jesus first, I feel it—and so does everyone around me. I get impatient. I complain. I start focusing way too much on my plans instead of what God wants me to do.
But when I do start with Jesus?
My heart feels lighter.
My thoughts are clearer.
I’m more loving, more focused, and more peaceful.
My heart feels lighter.
My thoughts are clearer.
I’m more loving, more focused, and more peaceful.
I go from striving to serving. From feeling scattered to standing steady.
What “Starting with Jesus” Looks Like for Me
Here’s how I spend time with the Lord most mornings:
- I wake up before the house
- I grab my coffee
- I open my Bible app and follow along as the Word is read to me
- I pray over my day
- If I need to clear my head, I’ll go for a walk or run with worship music
It’s not fancy. It’s not long.
But it’s consistent—and it’s changing me.
But it’s consistent—and it’s changing me.
Scriptures and Habits That Keep Me Anchored
I don’t have just one favorite verse because God has used different ones in every season. From the Old Testament to the New, there’s always something He uses to speak right to my heart. I love His Word!!
Right now, I’m using a Bible app to read through the Bible in a year. And even when it’s just a short reading, God always gives me something I need. His Word brings peace, direction, and clarity.
How This Practice Has Changed My Life
Spending time with Jesus has impacted everything:
💛 My family life – I’m a better mom and wife
💛 My business – I lead with purpose, not pressure
💛 My emotional health – I feel grounded, joyful, and more like me
💛 My business – I lead with purpose, not pressure
💛 My emotional health – I feel grounded, joyful, and more like me
Honestly? This is my sanity.
I am more "me"—the real, whole, joyful me—when I put Him first.
I am more "me"—the real, whole, joyful me—when I put Him first.
For the Busy Mom or Entrepreneur Who’s Feeling Overwhelmed…
I see you. I’ve been you.
And I want you to know this:
And I want you to know this:
You don’t need to carve out a full hour.
You don’t need the perfect space or setup.
Just start.
You don’t need the perfect space or setup.
Just start.
Write one Bible verse on a notecard.
Read it every day.
Meditate on it when you're folding laundry or sitting in the carpool line.
Read it every day.
Meditate on it when you're folding laundry or sitting in the carpool line.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” – Psalm 119:105
You wouldn’t leave the house without your phone…
Don’t leave your heart uncharged.
Don’t leave your heart uncharged.
What I Do When the Day Goes Sideways
Because… let’s be real—it happens.
Even when I start with Jesus, there are days that get messy.
But when I’ve spent time with Him, I hear the Holy Spirit a little more clearly.
When I mess up, I feel His nudge. I don’t spiral—I course correct.
But when I’ve spent time with Him, I hear the Holy Spirit a little more clearly.
When I mess up, I feel His nudge. I don’t spiral—I course correct.
Grace doesn’t mean I’m perfect.
It just means I don’t have to do this alone.
It just means I don’t have to do this alone.
My Favorite Thing About Starting with Jesus
It helps me live with intention.
It changes the way I think, the way I love, the way I respond to hard things.
It changes the way I think, the way I love, the way I respond to hard things.
I plan better.
I parent better.
I take care of my body with more grace and less pressure.
I parent better.
I take care of my body with more grace and less pressure.
Every good and perfect gift is from Him.
And when I start with Him, I remember that.
And when I start with Him, I remember that.
God sees you!
He loves you.
He wants to meet you right where you are.
He wants to meet you right where you are.
So don’t start your day empty, friend.
Fill up with His Word. Let Jesus lead.
Watch how everything begins to shift—from your mindset to your motherhood to your mission.
Fill up with His Word. Let Jesus lead.
Watch how everything begins to shift—from your mindset to your motherhood to your mission.
If this spoke to your heart, I’d love to hear your story.
Leave a comment below or share this with a friend who needs the reminder:
You don’t have to hustle your way to peace. Just start with Jesus.
Leave a comment below or share this with a friend who needs the reminder:
You don’t have to hustle your way to peace. Just start with Jesus.
With so much love and grace,
Sue 💛
#ReclaimingYourHealthAndJoy
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