How to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time (Develop Rituals, Routines, and Prayers to See New Mercies Every Sunrise) ― Gift for Women & Mom

by Jennifer Dukes Lee

Despite your best intentions, mornings can be stressful and chaotic before your feet even hit the floor. Your thoughts spiral and hope feels just out of reach. You long to wake up with joy and energy, believing that God's mercies really are new every morning, but you aren't sure how.

With her signature wit and wisdom, Jennifer Dukes Lee helps you reframe your mornings so you can experience God's best from the moment you wake up. Drawing on every morning described in the Bible (yep, she's studied every single one!), she helps you discover your morning archetype, examine your rhythms, develop a fresh morning mindset, create a personalized morning ritual, and adopt habits that lead to flourishing.

You'll also find special advice and encouragement for every life stage--whether you're a working mom, stay-at-home mom, college student, empty nester, widow, or somewhere in between. With reflective questions and practical advice, this is your invitation to create a morning routine that fits your real life so you can experience God's mercies new every morning.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Christian Living

256 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

Jennifer Dukes Lee is the bestselling author of multiple books including How to Love Your Morning, Growing Slow, It's All Under Control, and Stuff I'd Only Tell God. She lives in Iowa on the Lee family's fifth-generation farm.

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“We aren’t morning people based on the time we wake up or the mood we wake up in, but on the fact that we are made in the image of God, the original Morning Person.”

Before I read this book, I would have told you (in no uncertain terms) that I am NOT a morning person. I generally pretend that the hours of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8… and, okay, even 9 … only hit the clock once a day – in the evening. Yet, I quickly came to realize while reading How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee that I’ve been defining ‘morning person’ all wrong. That, instead of basing it on what time I prefer waking up or what mood I’m in when I do wake up, I need to think of a morning person as someone “who has learned to approach the morning with hope and intention” and as someone “who sees the first moments of the day as a sacred threshold in which to love God with her heart, soul, mind, and strength. It’s not about when you wake up. It’s about who you wake up to be.” And, I would add (based on the author’s emphasis elsewhere in this book), Whose you wake up as.

The physical book itself is lovely and I especially loved the design of the ‘extra information’ she pops periodically onto the pages. Like, the morning routines of certain famous people (which I found fascinating), practical helps for some of the suggestions (like seven Psalms to pray as your day begins), or clarification on the terminology she uses, etc. It’s divided into three main sections (a zoomed-in look at loving God with your heart and soul, mind, and strength) that are bookended by an introductory section (that gives a birds’ eye view of what she’ll be teaching in the main sections) and a wonderful resources section at the end. Each of the 13 chapters includes a ‘manna’ thought and a liturgy prayer that pertains to that chapter’s topic. I found the prayers to be refreshingly deeper than the typical sentence or two that closes a daily devotion, and I look forward to using them periodically in my own quiet time.

Jennifer Dukes Lee’s premise of God as the original Morning Person immediately intrigued me, and I saw so many individual verses that I’ve long known and loved with a … dawning (ahem.) … awareness of their significance for how I start my day, whenever I may start it. I loved that this book is the result of her extensive study of mornings in Scripture, and you can easily trace the overflow of her own personal relationship with Jesus and time in the Word as you read it. There’s so much great information here, backed by Scripture as well as Science, for women in all stages of life, delivered in Dukes Lee’s personal, warm, and witty writing voice. It’s about understanding yourself better and the way God wired YOU (not anyone else), as well as the importance of starting your day by inviting God into it and being grateful for His new mercies. The way she frames these truths helped set me free from my guilt over not naturally being someone who can function well early in the morning. Knowing that the rituals, habits, and patterns she suggests work just as well when I wake up at my usual 9:30 as they do for people who wake up with the sun makes the concepts on these pages feel not just like things this ‘night owl’ wants to do but also like things I will actually do.

Bottom Line: How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee engagingly points us not to a clock but to new mercies and redirects our focus from what time our day starts to how our day starts. She shares from Scripture and from her heart in a conversational tone that warmly presents practical, faith-filled suggestions to reframe our mornings as God sees them – and to invite Him into our day from its beginning (whenever that may be for each of us). This book isn’t preachy but it’s full of Biblical truth (and grace) and it’s not a ‘one-size-fits-all’ template, applying to readers in just about every season of life and for just about every approach to morning. If you’ve ever vehemently declared that you are not a morning person, How to Love Your Morning might just change how you think about that label. I know it did for me!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading is My SuperPower

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an entertaining writer! I got a lot out of this one. Inspirational and practical at the same time.

[Lisa Doorenbos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so honored to be able to read an advanced copy of this book! Mornings can be hard as can the beginning of anything but Jennifer Dukes Lee has provided a wonderful guide to starting our days in the presence of Hid. Her writing is so honest and so vulnerable to the challenges we face as we try to start our days… and live them to the finish!! This book was a wonderful, beautifully written guide to becoming a ‘morning person.’ Full of not only biblical truth but also practical advice and personal experience, JDL hit it out of the park with this one!

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Jennifer Duke's Lee's writing, but I have to admit, my first reaction to a book about mornings was "Ugh!" However, I need not have worried. Jennifer doesn't guilt trip those of us who honestly struggle with morning.

Her approach is honest and relatable. The book is full of humor, encouragement, and practical insights. I felt so seen when I read this on the first page: "You--yes you, the one who has a semi-allergic reaction to mornings--are welcome here too."

Maybe this is you too. If so, Jennifer's wit and wisdom will help you reframe how you approach your morning as you learn to embrace the goodness of God each day. Highly recommended!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book by JDL and both have been so worthwhile to read. I love that this book stays with you throughout the day and has me thinking about my relationship with God and mornings in a whole new light! I love the emphasis of “in progress”. I am anxious to get my friends together and start the Bible study!

[Diane S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t realize how much I needed this book until I started reading it.

How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee isn’t about waking up at 5am or having the perfect routine… it’s about creating mornings that feel good in real life.

As a Nana, a busy woman, and someone who doesn’t love overwhelm—this one just feels doable. Gentle. Encouraging.

It’s reminding me that mornings don’t have to be rushed… they can be restful, meaningful, and even something to look forward to.

Highly recommend!

[Alissa Dedic · Rating 5 out of 5]

A PDF version of the first three chapters of "How to Love Your Morning" by Jennifer Dukes Lee was graciously provided to me by the publisher. I was trying to set up a Netgalley account as a member of the launch team for this book. I ran into some tech glitches, but I wasn't the only one who struggled with that. I have read the first three chapters of this book because that is what the publisher provided for launch team members struggling with Netgalley.

There are three reasons I gave "How to Love Your Morning" by Jennifer Dukes Lee five stars.

First, I normally wouldn't give a book five stars after only reading the first few chapters. "How to Love Your Morning" by Jennifer Dukes Lee has a clear path of biblical and practical instruction from the beginning. Lee has set out the main points of "How to Love Your Morning" in these first chapters. The reader knows clearly what is being addressed and where this book intends to take them as far as growing a life you love. As an editor, I loved seeing this clear direction and instruction from the beginning.

Second, I liked the linear ending to each chapter. Lee has included sound biblical teaching this book about God's mercy, faithfulness, and forgiveness from the first page. She doesn't shy away from how God provides for us each and every morning. I liked the journaling prompts Lee included in Chapter 2. She ends each chapter with practical application steps. There is no wondering about what to do with the information the reader learns about God or about their own morning archetype. Lee has provided uniform instruction and guidance for what to do about what is learned. I wish more nonfiction books did this. Like many readers, I often read nonfiction because I am trying to grow and learn, but I am left overwhelmed with information that I don't know what to do with or how to apply it to my life.

Finally, I came across this book after going through an overhaul of my own morning schedule and routine. I did some of things recommended in this book for building a healthy morning routine on my own. After reading chapter 3, I learned that the reason I needed to make some of those changes. Chapter 3 has a guide for getting to know your morning archetype. I had gone through a life transition that required extra self-care and changed my needs in the morning. The morning archetype in Chapter 3 is not intended to be a label or one-size-fits all kind of prescription. I am such a morning person that fit into many of the archetype descriptions. This chapter really helped me to fine tune the things I needed to change in order to meet my needs in the morning. Over time, I will probably need to readdress them as the dust of this life transition settles and my needs change again.

I preordered my book a few weeks back. I am looking forward to when it comes in the mail on April 7. I hear Chapter 8 is an excellent chapter for those of struggling with the weight and overwhelm of mornings.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world obsessed with 5 a.m. productivity hacks and rigid morning routines, Jennifer Dukes Lee's How to Love Your Morning offers a refreshing, faith-centered alternative: what if loving your morning is less about the clock and more about inviting God's new mercies into whatever your real life looks like?

Drawing from an in-depth study of every morning scene in the Bible, Lee reframes the start of the day as a sacred opportunity for hope, peace, and purpose. She blends practical habits, reflective questions, Scripture, and her signature warm wit to help readers build rituals and routines that feel sustainable rather than stressful. The book emphasizes that mornings aren't one-size-fits-all — they're deeply personal invitations to meet with God right where we are.

What resonated most with me was how inclusive the book feels. Many Christian (& secular) books on routines seem geared primarily toward stay-at-home moms with young kids, but Lee thoughtfully addresses women in every season — including working professionals without children, a space that often feels overlooked. Whether you're navigating a busy career, empty-nest adjustments, or simply trying to start the day with intention amid the chaos of modern life, there's something here that honors your unique rhythms.

I especially appreciated the deep dive into the four morning archetypes. Lee helps readers identify their natural tendencies (such as the Meditative Mind who craves quiet stillness, the Daytime Doer energized by action, the Morning Mover who thrives on gentle movement, or the Social Seeker who lights up through connection). This framework isn't about boxing yourself in but about understanding yourself better so you can craft mornings that align with how God wired you — reducing guilt and increasing joy. It felt empowering and freeing, like permission to stop forcing someone else's "perfect" morning and start embracing your own.

Lee's writing is encouraging without being preachy, practical without being overwhelming, and rooted in biblical truth. She reminds us that God's mercies really are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), turning the sunrise into a daily reminder of fresh starts and grace.

If you're tired of morning guilt or longing for a more intentional, joy-filled start to your days, this book is a gift. Highly recommended for women of faith at any stage — especially those who want faith-filled habits that actually fit their lives rather than add to the pressure. I'll be returning to the reflective questions and archetype insights for years to come.

A beautiful, timely read that left me excited to greet the next morning with more hope and less hustle.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! For a person (me) who is a natural morning person I gravitated toward the title How to Love Your Morning. I cannot sleep past 5:00 am. Let me tell you, not all morning people love morning, but I want to.

Enter Jennifer Dukes Lee, an author whose work I love so much, I pre-ordered this book last August. But back to the topic. Three things that sold this book to me before publication.

1. Research - Jennifer Dukes Lee read, studied, compared, and unpacked over 200 scriptures about mornings. That is a huge "buy it" flag. Sound biblical teaching is important to me.

2. Morning Manna - These are truths, affirmations, quotes, assurances, and guidance for reliance on God and working nurturing practices into your morning routines. I have a prayer group that we lovingly have named Monday Manna. The entire philosophy surrounding Morning Manna has magnetic attraction for me.

3. Hope and Renewal - Every day is an opportunity to release what is past and renew hope for what is ahead. We can begin again and see each new day as potential for encouragement and positive outcomes.

I could segment this book more and focus on other reasons this book will help you supercharge your mornings, but I will end with this:

There are two subjects in this book that I have never seen addressed in any other book.

Morning Archetypes: Knowing yours will help you start each day with energy, enthusiasm, and a deeper connection to God.

Seasons of Life: Let's be real. There is never a one size fits for life. We change. Times change. Routines change. Jennifer Dukes Lee nails it when she devotes pages in this book to that reality.


I was given an opportunity to read a copy of this book in Net Galley.

[Jennifer Longenecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Grace-Filled Invitation to Begin Again

I'll be honest: I picked up this book already counting myself a morning person. Quiet time before the house wakes up, coffee in hand, a few moments with Scripture — that rhythm has been part of my life for a long time. So I wasn't sure Jennifer Dukes Lee had much new to offer me. I was wrong, and I'm glad I kept reading.

What sets this book apart isn't a productivity formula or a guilt-laden five-step plan. It's the theology underneath it all. Lee spent two years studying every morning mentioned in Scripture — over 200 of them — and what she uncovered is genuinely stunning: God has a consistent habit of showing up in the morning with provision, direction, and hope. That biblical grounding gave fresh language and deeper meaning to a practice I already loved. It didn't just tell me how to do mornings — it reminded me why they're sacred in the first place.

Lee's voice is warm, witty, and refreshingly real. She writes for women at every life stage and every relationship with their alarm clock, which makes the book broadly accessible. My one gentle critique is that some of the practical sections felt a little formulaic for someone who already has an established morning rhythm — this book will likely be most transformative for someone just beginning to build one. But even as someone who didn't need the on-ramp, I found myself underlining passages and lingering in the reflection questions. This is a book worth returning to, especially in seasons when mornings feel more like a battleground than a blessing.

[Sharee Gaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been a morning person, delighting in the silence offered before the world wakes up. Watching the sun rise each day has long filled my heart with hope and a quiet sense of renewal. So, when I first opened How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee, I wasn’t sure what more I could learn about something I already cherished.

However, Jennifer gently expanded my perspective in ways I didn’t expect.

Her introduction of four morning archetypes was both insightful and practical—I quickly recognised myself as a Doer. This framework helped me better understand not only my natural tendencies, but also how to approach my mornings with greater intention rather than routine alone.

What stood out most was how the book shifted my mindset from simply enjoying mornings to stewarding them well. Jennifer doesn’t present a rigid formula, but instead invites readers to rediscover their mornings in a way that feels life-giving and sustainable. Her approach is grace-filled, encouraging small, meaningful rhythms rather than overwhelming change.

Through personal stories, gentle wisdom, and practical insights, she broadens the idea of what a “good morning” can look like, reminding us that it’s not about perfection, but about presence.

This book is an invitation to rediscover the gift of a new day—to begin with purpose, to create space for what matters most, and to carry that posture into the rest of life. If you’ve ever longed to reclaim your mornings or simply deepen what they already mean to you, this is a thoughtful and encouraging read.

[Miraclebrooke t · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Love Your Morning has completely transformed how I wake up. And that is saying a LOT! For someone who has always considered myself a true night owl and someone who has struggled with insomnia my whole life, I never thought I could be a morning person, even though I secretly wanted to be. What Jennifer Dukes Lee has done is to reveal that we are all morning people, but we just don't know it yet. Since we are created in the image of God, we are created in the image of people who have his characteristics -- and His love of mornings is evident throughout Scripture, in every sunrise, and even in what may feel like bleak times. JDL does a fabulous job of showing how to love your morning through Biblical references, through quizzes that are personalized to you, and through encouraging, doable practices that apply to me (even if I'm not Sunshine Sally who rises at 5 a.m. without an alarm clock). The old view of mornings isn't mine anymore, and my view of myself -- even more valuable -- has been and is continuing to be transformed by this book. I remind myself daily that I'm walking in the life and life of Christ, and my mornings belong to Him. What a gift for me to behold. You've got to get this book. I even purchased several copies of the Bible study to go along with it, and our small group is planning to do the study together this summer. I can't think of a better way to kick off a new season.

[Gay Idle · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Love Your Morning is a beautifully freeing and deeply practical guide for anyone who has ever felt defeated by their mornings. Jennifer Dukes Lee gently reframes what it means to be a “morning person,” reminding us that it’s not about the hour we wake up—it’s about who we wake up to be. She helps us see that because we are made in the image of God—the God of sunrise mercies—there is already something in us designed to meet the morning with hope.

Shaped around the Shema—loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength—Jennifer offers a holistic and grace-filled path to beginning the day with purpose and peace. I especially loved her morning archetypes and the personalized rituals she provides for every life stage and season, from motherhood and caregiving to empty nesting and unexpected hardship. The quizzes, reflections, and practical tools make the book feel both deeply personal and entirely doable.

What stood out most to me is how gently she speaks to the mornings that feel heavy, foggy, or overwhelming. She reminds us that God meets us even there, and that our mornings—like every part of our lives—can become a sacred threshold where His presence greets us first.

This book is full of grace, grounded in Scripture, and rich with practical wisdom. Whether your mornings are chaotic or calm, this is your invitation to wake up to wonder, purpose, and God’s presence every single day. Highly recommended.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book, already as someone who loves the morning and knows this is when I am most productive. As a strong supporter of Jennifer Dukes Lee and her perspective on life, I wanted to see what she had to say about mornings and after finishing I'm not sure I can adequately express how powerful this book is.

In a world obsessed with productivity hacks, How to Love Your Morning offers a refreshing alternative from feeling pressured to wake up at 5am or having the perfect routine, rather it’s about creating mornings that feel good in one's season of real life

Jennifer blends practical habits, reflective questions, scripture, and her personal warm wit to assist readers in building rituals and routines that feel sustainable rather than stressful. Thoughtfully addressing readers in every season there's something here for each of us that will honour our unique and individual needs.

What sets this book apart isn't a one size fits all formula but the detailed description of the archetypes and theological foundation. Jennifer spent two years studying every morning mentioned in Scripture — over 200 of them — uncovering the truth, that God has a consistent habit of showing up in the morning with provision, direction, and hope. Meaning we too can experience this, each and every day, as we walk alongside him. Regardless of your relationship with mornings, we are ALL morning people and after reading this book your perspective will change and you'll realize it too!!

[Kelsey | kelseys.booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something that’s been stirring in my heart over the last year is that I wish I did my mornings better. It’s something I’ve talked to my husband about and something I’ve talked to the Lord about. I am not a morning person at all! I struggle waking up, and I’m just not with it. Some mornings feel wasted because I am rushing through them frantically trying to get to work.

BUT morning is my favorite time of day. What a juxtaposition?! I love the quiet hum of the morning, the dew, the fog, the birds, the feeling of something new. So, when I saw this book, I couldn’t believe it. In some ways, I feel like it was written for me. How niche is that? Truly, through this book I have felt seen by the Lord.

As I read, I loved the realness, the humor, and the honesty. I have been slow to pick up nonfiction lately because it often lacks authenticity for me. But reading Jennifer Dukes Lee feels like sitting with a longtime friend, chatting about life and the Lord.

This book is practical (thank you very much) but its heart draws you to the Lord, and how beautiful is that? I love the liturgies throughout. Each one felt like a meaningful pause for reflection.
I highly recommend this, friends. I am slowly going back through it, taking my time, marking it up, and just feeling so thankful to be seen by the Lord.

Thank you to Bethany House for the gifted copy!

[Angie Cherney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I'm not a morning person."

I've uttered that phrase with a gravelly, "I'm not awake yet" voice as many times as my morning alarm has gone off. This book is a game changer. Chapter one begins with Jennifer stating, "You are a morning person. And it's my job to prove it to you."

Game on.

Chapter one continues with Jennifer's definition of a morning person. I'm not going to tell you her definition because you have to read it for yourself. But I can tell you that it changed everything for me. There's so much I love about this book. Each chapter ends with a small section titled, "Morning Manna." These little nuggets of truth are short, but powerful. A liturgy follows the Morning Manna; each liturgy a written prayer, if you will. These liturgies are honest words to Jesus, words of transparency and dependency on our heavenly Father. The author also includes practical, helpful resources for various ages of women in all stages of life (from college aged to retired).

I have a new understanding of what it means to love your morning. I've highlighted so much of my digital copy of the book, and I can't wait to get the physical copy. You know a book is worth purchasing when you want to read it again! I highly recommend "How to Love Your Morning" by Jennifer Dukes Lee.

[Pam Ecrement · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new release, How to Love Your Morning, gives a new perspective on mornings whether you typically love them or not. It can be easy to say you’re a morning person, a night owl, or somewhere in between but this book presents a persuasive argument that we are all really morning people and if you doubt it how to discover a new love for it. She presents 4 different morning archetypes and how each prefers to meet a new day and maximize each preference by starting the day with Jesus within that type. There are no “one size fits all” approaches here nor messages to create guilt about what your mornings may look like. Instead you discover Jennifer acknowledges all the things that can and do upend our mornings and how to still find ways to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength. She gives clear and positive tips of how to find good rituals to begin the day whether you are a college student, mom, working professional, retiree, or widow. This book is refreshing, insightful, encouraging, and useful for whatever season of life you find yourself. Jennifer’s openness about her own journey with mornings is a plus that makes this book a great read.

[Melissa K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading How to Love Your Morning, I wouldn’t have necessarily called myself a “morning person,” but I have spent much time inventing and reinventing my “morning rituals” through various seasons of my life.
As I read the pages of this book, it felt like JDL was sitting right there with me—likely with coffee in one hand and the other wrapped around my shoulder—in her sweet, soothing voice, telling heartfelt stories, speaking words of encouragement over me, and praying her liturgical prayers.
In each unique chapter, I found myself saying, “Me too,” and highlighting a sentence or phrase every few paragraphs.
This book is so relatable, with such a beautiful balance of authentic storytelling, gentle challenge to the reader, and encouraging, practical tips for application.
The numerous Bible references and stories of biblical characters cannot be overlooked. What a fresh perspective she offers on passages I’ve read many times before.

“Morning person or not, this book is both soul-stirring and practical – an invitation to begin each day with intention, grace, and a fresh awareness of God’s presence.

[Ljlauterbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to be a morning person, I was up and ready to go for the day. Then as my season of life shifted, I found I had to be a morning person no matter what once kids entered the picture. As my season is shifting again as my kids get older and become more independent and we are shifting gears to getting them ready to launch into the world of being an adult, my mornings have become a jumbled mess and feel like they have lost their purpose. I feel lost in what to do and what direction to head. I am a planner by nature, but all I can seem to do is write out plans, but not follow through. I picked up Jennifer's newest book in hopes to become a morning person again, finding a rhythm that fits naturally with the season I am in and connects with my faith. God is growing me in the season and "How to Love Your Mornings" has helped me to find peace and joy in the mornings that carries me through the day. I can try and try on my own, but it wasn't until I combined faith and habits that I found a purpose to my mornings again, and to set my day up in a way that gives praise to God, yet carries me through my day.

[Kathy Scheffler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mornings can be tough! Jennifer realizes this and gives honest insight into the struggle. She kindly and gently inspires us to be morning people which she defines as "one who places his hope and trust in God as each day begins, come what may." So, this is much more than a "How To" book. Using the mornings of the Bible as a guide, we are shown how to do mornings well.

This book is a great mix of stories from Jennifer's personal experiences, along with prayers and guides for various seasons of life. It inspires us that anyone can be a morning person (without having to rise before the sun). Because mornings aren't a one-size fits all, you won't feel pressured into do your mornings exactly like someone else, but rather develop a morning routine that works for you.

In the final chapter of the book Jennifer writes "Each new day is a love letter from God, a reminder that being alive is a gift. Mornings press into us with the power of a do-over - a fresh start no matter what yesterday held." This is the heart of "How to Love Your Morning"!

[Keri Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people wake up charged and ready to go for the day. Others need time to feel human before interacting with anyone.

Personally, I wake up early but need lots of Jesus and coffee before I’m ready for conversation or demands.

In "How to Love Your Mornings," Jennifer Dukes Lee explores four different “morning types” and helps readers discover how to ease into their day—always inviting the Holy Spirit to lead.

She thoughtfully studies mornings throughout Scripture, weaving them together with stories from her own life. In doing so, she gently guides readers into the presence of Jesus from their very first waking moments.

I especially loved the liturgies at the end. They serve as a beautiful reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and to rest in the completeness we have in Him.

In a world marked by hurry and chaos, How to Love Your Mornings is a helpful tool that encourages us to slow down, abide in God’s presence, and discover peace and joy—even in the midst of life’s battles.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a working mom of three twees/pre-teens, I definitely thought there was no chance Jennifer Dukes Lee could prove that I was a morning person.
I was so wrong. I had a totally wrong picture of what it meant to be a morning person. I don't need to be out of bed with a cup of coffee, sitting on my porch with a journal and a Bible watching the sun rise while my family sleeps.
Meaningful mornings aren't about creating perfection, rather creating a time and space to experience His new mercies each morning.
Jennifer Dukes Lee writes with humor, life experience and Biblical knowledge which made it so easy to keep reading, and hard to put down!
As she wraps up the book, she says, "Each new day is a love letter from God, a reminder that being alive is a gift. Mornings press into us with the power of a do-over - a fresh start no matter what yesterday held." This message of grace holds such importance- what a refreshing thought to wake up to each day!

[Rose Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Morning Reframe!!!

I thought you had to wake up bright, bouncy, and full of joy filled-energy to be considered a "morning person." So not true!

Jennifer Dukes Lee, thanks so much for giving me a whole new appreciation for mornings AND for how God made me.

A few notes about the book:

I loved the glimpses into how others have approached their mornings—people like Mother Teresa, Jonathan Edwards, Flannery O’Connor. Not as something to copy, but as a reminder that there isn’t just one way to begin the day well.

The Morning Manna and liturgies are simple and grounding—something you can actually return to without overthinking it.

And woven through it all is a gentle invitation to pay attention to how you’re made, and to shape your mornings from there.

Not an ideal to chase.
Not a routine to force.
Just a way of meeting with God that fits your real life.

If mornings have felt heavy or hard to hold onto, this book offers a different way to step into them.

[Noreen Sevret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Dukes Lee has written a book that has reframed my view of mornings and convinced me I am indeed a morning person, even though I don't like to rise up at 5am! Her book, "How to Love Your Morning: Faith-Filled Habits to Build a Life of Joy and Purpose One Day at a Time", is one readers will not want to put down.

I found Jennifer's ideas about how to live in and create a morning routine and embrace rhythms around it to be very encouraging, invigorating, inspiring, and brought hope to my tired mind and body, just days after major surgery. She writes how it is possible with heart, soul, mind, and strength to design my morning time even around the stage of life I am in that, for me, often seems ever-changing. That ever-changing place does not mean I have failed but that I may need to pivot in how I approach my morning hours. Jennifer's words are a rich resource of ideas and examples of how to walk closer to God in the morning hours.

[Amy Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Love Your Morning by Jennifer Dukes Lee felt like such a gentle and needed reminder for this season.

I think so many of us carry quiet pressure around our mornings—feeling like we need to get them “right” to be productive, present, or even close to God. But this book softly shifts that mindset. It reminded me that my mornings don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful—they just need to be surrendered, and it doesn't matter what time my morning starts!

I loved how practical and freeing it was. Instead of adding more to my plate, it actually helped me release the pressure and think about what a life-giving morning could look like in my real, everyday life.

It’s a beautiful, encouraging read if you’re longing to start your days feeling more grounded, more present, and more connected to God—without striving.

Another beautifully written book by Jennifer Dukes Lee.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for providing me with this advanced reader copy.

[Deborah Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Dukes Lee’s new book, "How to Love Your Morning," is revolutionizing my mornings. It is helping me start my day with success and purpose, no matter which season I am in. Through her morning archetypes—the Daybreak Doer, the Morning Mover, the Meditative Mind, or the Social Seeker—I learned what kind of morning person I am. I find I am a Meditative Mind, and quiet time is what I need in the morning. Jennifer shows me how I can have my quiet time even during loud mornings. Drawing from over 200 biblical mornings, she highlights God creating light first, scriptures about new mercies, and pivotal events like the crucifixion and resurrection, pointing toward a “forever morning” in heaven. This book is a must-read, teaching us how to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength every morning.

[Jennifer Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has motivated me to redefine a "morning person." Not by the time I wake up, but by HOW I wake up. Every morning is the start of something new, heralding hope in whatever comes over the next 24 hours. With her four morning archetypes, Jennifer gently leads her readers on a discovery that not only are they morning people, but God is too. I love her distinction between rituals and routines, and how "soul-keeping" rituals stir in us a desire to welcome a new day. She's not shy about addressing the hard mornings, and that they too, offer an invitation to deepening faith and a life of joy. Bursting with engaging, relatable stories and practical takeaways, I highly recommend this book for women's groups, Bible studies, individual spiritual formation, and everything in between.

[Laura Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general, Jennifer's writing is a balm for a weary spirit. I have read several of her books and I follow her on social media. Somehow, her work speaks directly to situations I am dealing with and helps to calm my spirit no matter if it published book or an Instagram post.

This new book helps bring home the point that we are all morning people, regardless of what time we wake up. What makes us morning people? The fact that we were made in God's own image. Jennifer's book walks us through stacking our morning habits so that we can start our day with God. In doing so, we automatically level up the rest of our day to meet with him too.

I cant wait to start putting more of her ideas into practice as I continue to refine my morming habits to help me draw closer to God.

[Twyla Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fellow early morning risers wondering if this book is also for you: it is. Somehow Jennifer managed to make this book relevant, applicable, and inviting for those who resent the alarm clock AND those with an affinity for early morning hours. You’ll gain a deeper love of mornings—and lose the pressure to maintain a lengthy morning routine on days you truly have just five minutes.

Hands down, this is a beautiful and practical resource that will help you find meaningful ways to connect with God in the morning regardless of your life season and personality. But it’s not a one-size-fits all approach. Jennifer will help you tailor your morning rhythms to match your time and morning archetype.

Cannot recommend this book highly enough!

[Jeannette Steward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our culture has a very specific picture of what a "good morning" looks like — the perfectly lit Bible and coffee photo, the 5 a.m. workout, the hour-long quiet time before anyone wakes up. Jennifer gently and graciously dismantles all of that. She makes a compelling case that loving your morning has nothing to do with the clock and everything to do with how you orient your heart toward God when you first open your eyes.

Jennifer is funny, warm, and deeply real. She doesn't write at you — she writes with you. You feel like you're sitting across from a friend who has done the hard work and wants to share what she found. If you’ve felt behind or like you’re doing mornings wrong, this is the book you didn't know you needed.