I used to go to the YMCA (the Y) four to five days a week to exercise. Three days a week I took a fully integrated, total-body workout class. On the other days I cycled and/or used the elliptical machine. My routine was solid: up at 4:55 a.m., time in Scripture with my annual Bible plan, then off to the gym. Afterward, I would come home, finish my quiet time, eat breakfast, and then head to the church office. 

In January 2025, that rhythm changed. We got Toby—the cockapoo!  

Isabella had been “encouraging” us for quite some time to get a puppy. Perhaps she sensed that we needed a little help adjusting to the empty nest. Her persistence finally paid off when she sent us pictures of a puppy who would soon become part of our family. 

As it turned out, Toby’s early routines—especially potty breaks and a bit of separation anxiety—didn’t quite align with my gym schedule. Toby won. Part of getting him was that I would be responsible to take him out while Melanie got ready for work. I walked him before and after work and again before bedtime. Melanie, working remotely, would cover the daytime hours. I had no regrets with our new pup, but I did miss my time at the gym.  

As Toby got a bit older, I kept trying to figure out how to reclaim my morning exercise routine. I knew a decision had to be made. No one could go to the gym for me! Again, Isabella became part of the process. She began her full-time job on July 1, and like me, wanted to go to the Y before work. The opportunity to go to the gym together—father and daughter—was important to me. So, I decided to give it a go.  

The question was how to navigate what mattered most: time in Scripture, physical health, and caring for Toby. The answer was a simple but meaningful tradeoff. 

To preserve quality time in Bible reading and prayer, I needed to get up earlier—which meant going to bed earlier. Now, I take Toby out for one final time and go to bed between 10:30 and 10:45 p.m., and get up at 4:45 a.m. Each evening, I lay out my gym bag, clothes and shoes—a small cue that anchors the routine. By 4:55 a.m., I’m downstairs with a strong cup of Sumatra, beginning the day’s Bible reading. Around 5:40 a.m., Isabella comes down, and we head to the Y together. After our workout, we return home to find Melanie up and Toby ready for his morning routine.  

In effect, I traded the late-night news and Jimmy Fallon’s monologue for an earlier wake-up time. The result is about the same amount of sleep, but with renewed space for Scripture, prayer, and shared time with Isabella. Has it been perfect? Not at first. It required some adjustments—and a bit more discipline in the evenings (and yes, more coffee in the mornings). But it’s working! 

I feel better. I’m grateful for the time with Isabella. And I’m rediscovering the quiet power of steady, intentional habits—one step at a time (coffee in hand, of course). 

Charles Duhigg writes in The Power of Habit, “Small wins have enormous power . . . [they] fuel transformative changes by leveraging tiny advantages into patterns that convince people that bigger achievements are within reach.” (p. 112) 

That resonates. 

What changes are you hoping to make in your life? Is there something you’ve been delaying because it feels difficult or inconvenient? Perhaps it begins with a simple exchange—replacing one habit with another that better reflects your priorities. Take a first step. Invite someone to walk with you. Allow small wins to build.  

Over time, you may discover what Jim Collins describes as the turning of the flywheel—steady, faithful effort building momentum toward the point of breakthrough and beyond! 

God’s Blessings,