One big thing I have been working with my therapist on is finding margin in my life. So lately I have been intentional about how I go about managing my time. Therefore, Sunday in our family is for church and rest. It’s becoming a hythm that keeps us grounded. We spend the morning worshiping together, the afternoon resting — usually a nap, reading, or just slow time at home — and then, as evening settles in, I begin what I call my Sunday Evening Reset.
It’s nothing fancy or perfectly structured, and frankly it’s still a work in progress, but it is helping me find that much needed margin and for me to start the week feeling centered instead of scattered.
1. A Quiet Evening Routine
While the older kids are at youth group, I take that time to quietly move through a few simple tasks. It’s peaceful — the kind of quiet that lets me breathe, pray, and prepare my heart for what’s ahead.
I start by straightening the kitchen — wiping counters, washing the dishes, and making sure we’ll wake up to a clean space on Monday morning. There’s something about beginning the week with order that brings a little bit of peace to the chaos. I also move around the living room straightening up and making sure it is ready for us to beging out school day.
2. Loosely Planning Meals for the Week
Next, I look in the fridge, freezer, and pantry and try to losely plan out our meals for the coming week. While I like to be a dedicated meal plan/meal prep person, unfortunately our season of life isn’t entirely conducive for it. I will try to get the meat I will need for the next day into the fridge to defrost or marinate to go into the slow cooker, but other than that I just try to make note of the meats we have in the freezer and what I can make into meals for the week.
It’s not about perfection, but preparation — having even a basic plan helps me feel less rushed and more present throughout the week.
3. Prepping for Homeschool
Because we homeschool, I also take a few minutes to look over our lessons for Monday. I check what supplies we’ll need, print out any worksheets that might be needed , and make sure we’re ready to start the day with calm instead of scrambling for materials. I also look ahead to see if there are any specific materials that I might need to get for any activites the kids might have. I also look over my grade book to be sure I have input everything from the week before so that I don’t fall too far behind on the process.
That small bit of prep makes a big difference in the tone of our morning.
4. Looking Ahead at My Schedule
Finally, I glance at my calendar — appointments, ministry commitments, deadlines — and mentally map out the week. I might even pray through it, asking God to order my days and give me grace where I’m stretched thin. I also evaluate my doctoral work to-do list and determine when and how I can fit in my scheduled “deep work” time so that I am staying on top of the research and writing for that process.
It’s a small act of surrender — saying, “Lord, I give this week to You.”
The Heart Behind It All
My Sunday Reset isn’t about doing more — it’s about creating space.
Space for peace.
Space for presence.
Space for grace.
It’s my way of saying goodbye to the week that’s passed and welcoming the new one with intention and faith.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the start of each week, maybe this simple rhythm can help you, too. You don’t need a perfect plan — just a few quiet moments to prepare your heart and home.
Closing Encouragement
God doesn’t ask us to have everything together. He asks us to seek Him first — and sometimes, that looks like folding laundry with worship music on and thanking Him for another week to begin again. What tips and tricks do you have to get your week started on the right track?
Holy Mess, Whole Me 
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