The Power of the "Morning Coffee" Routine: How Prayer, Scripture, and Writing Set Up Our Day
BEFORE THE EMAILS. BEFORE THE DEADLINES. BEFORE THE BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP, WE REMEMBER WHO WE ARE.
We are Buffy and Matt, and our morning routine has become one of the most important parts of working: and living: together.
Before we start answering messages, planning projects, recording conversations, or stepping into the demands of the day, we start with prayer. We read our Bibles. We spend time writing. We create space to hear from God, process what is happening in our hearts, and remember that we are human beings first: not business partners first.
That order matters.
When you work with your spouse, it can be easy for the calendar to become the loudest voice in the relationship. Conversations that should be about dinner turn into conversations about deliverables. A quiet moment together becomes an opportunity to solve a business problem. Before long, you can be physically present with each other while mentally living inside the work.
Our “morning coffee” routine helps us begin differently. It gives us a steady foundation for faith, connection, and perspective before the day begins asking things from us.
And the beautiful part is this: you do not need a complicated system to start.
Why Your First Moments Matter
The first part of your day often sets the emotional direction for everything that follows. If your morning begins with notifications, pressure, and rushing, your mind may stay in reaction mode. You are already responding to everyone else before you have considered what matters most to you.
Prayer changes that posture.
When you begin by turning your attention toward God, you are reminded that you do not have to carry the entire day by yourself. Scripture helps you return to what is true, even when circumstances feel uncertain. Writing slows your thoughts enough for you to recognize what you are feeling, what you are grateful for, and where you need wisdom.
This is not about performing a perfect devotional routine. It is about creating a faithful starting point.
For us, prayer and Scripture also protect our relationship. We genuinely love each other, and that love is at the center of how we work together. But love still needs care. It needs time, honesty, forgiveness, and a shared foundation.
When you and your spouse begin the day by seeking God together, you create an anchor before business decisions, creative differences, or stressful responsibilities have an opportunity to pull you apart.
Resources such as Focus on the Family’s guidance on reading the Bible in marriage and the CS Lewis Institute’s suggestions for daily time with God offer additional encouragement for building a consistent spiritual rhythm.
We Remember: We Are Spouses Before We Are Business Partners
Working together can be a tremendous gift. It allows you to share ideas, build something meaningful, and witness each other’s strengths up close. It can also expose every difference in communication style, decision-making, energy level, and expectations.
That is why we try to begin our day as Buffy and Matt: not as co-founders, coworkers, or project managers.
Prayer gives us a chance to place the relationship before the workload. Scripture reminds us that our identity is not determined by productivity. Writing allows us to process individually instead of carrying every thought straight into a business conversation.
This simple order helps us ask better questions:
- How is my spouse doing today: not just professionally, but personally?
- What might they be carrying that I cannot see?
- What does faithfulness look like in today’s work?
- Are we pursuing success while forgetting our purpose?
- How can we encourage one another instead of simply evaluating one another?
You can ask these questions, too. Even one sincere question can change the tone of an entire morning.
If you are curious about our experience of working together, you can read why we actually love working together or explore 10 things to know before taking the leap to work with your spouse.
The Three Parts of Our Morning Coffee Routine
Our routine has three core practices: prayer, Scripture, and writing. Each one serves a different purpose, but together they help us begin with peace and purpose.
1. Prayer: Start by Surrendering the Day
Prayer does not have to be long or polished. It can be as simple as, “God, thank You for this day. Help us hear You, love each other well, and use our work for good.”
We pray for wisdom, patience, our family, the people we serve, and the responsibilities in front of us. We also bring God the difficult realities. Stress. Uncertainty. Disagreements. Financial concerns. Big dreams that feel bigger than our current capacity.
You do not need to hide the hard things from God: or from each other.
A practical way to begin is to use three simple prompts:
- Thank You: What are you grateful for today?
- Help Us: Where do you need wisdom, strength, or patience?
- Use Us: Who can you serve, encourage, or support today?
Keep the prayer honest and repeatable. A routine becomes sustainable when it is simple enough to practice on ordinary days, not only on the mornings when everyone feels inspired.
2. Scripture: Let Truth Speak Before the World Does
After prayer, we read our Bibles. Sometimes we focus on a short passage. Sometimes we follow a reading plan. The goal is not to rush through a certain number of chapters. The goal is to pay attention.
You can read the same passage twice. The first time, read for understanding. The second time, slow down and notice a word, phrase, command, promise, or question that stands out.
Then talk about it briefly:
- What caught your attention?
- What does this passage reveal about God?
- Is there something you need to practice today?
- How might this Scripture shape the way you work or communicate?
You do not need to agree on every observation immediately. Healthy spiritual connection makes room for questions. Your spouse may notice something you missed, and your perspective may help them see the passage differently.
A Bible.com reading plan can give you a helpful starting structure if choosing what to read feels overwhelming.
3. Writing: Make Room for Reflection
Writing is the part of our routine that helps us slow down and become aware of what is happening inside us.
You can use a notebook, a journal, or a shared document. You can write separately and share only what you want to share. The purpose is not to create another obligation. It is to make room for clarity.
Try writing three sentences:
- Today I am grateful for…
- The Scripture or thought I want to remember is…
- One way I want to live this out is…
You might also write a prayer, a concern you need to release, a goal for the day, or an idea that comes to you in the quiet.
Over time, your writing becomes a record of God’s faithfulness and your own growth. You can look back and remember the prayers that were answered, the challenges you survived, and the ways your priorities became clearer.
A Simple Version You Can Start Tomorrow
If you want to begin but do not know where to start, use this 15-minute version:
Minute 1–2: Put Everything Else Down
Set your phones aside. Turn off notifications. Sit somewhere comfortable with your coffee, tea, or water. Take a few deep breaths.
Say together, “God, we are here. Help us be present with You and with each other.”
Minute 3–5: Pray
Each person shares one thank-you and one request. Then pray briefly for your relationship, your household, and the day ahead.
Minute 6–10: Read Scripture
Choose a short passage. Read it aloud, taking turns if you would like. Sit quietly for a moment and identify what stood out.
Minute 11–13: Write
Each person writes the three prompts:
- I am grateful for…
- I want to remember…
- Today I will…
Minute 14–15: Encourage One Another
End with one specific sentence of encouragement. Try, “I appreciate the way you…” or “I am praying for you as you…”
That final moment matters. It reminds you that you are not entering the workday as opponents or competitors. You are entering it as a team.
How to Make the Routine Last
Start smaller than your ambition.
If 15 minutes is too much, begin with five. Pray together and read one verse. If mornings are unpredictable, choose a consistent window rather than insisting on a perfect clock time. You might meet before the children wake up, during a quiet lunch, or before the workday officially begins.
Prepare the night before. Leave the Bible and notebooks where you will see them. Choose the next passage in advance. Keep your coffee supplies ready. Remove as many decisions as possible from the morning.
Most importantly, give yourselves grace.
Missing one day does not mean the routine failed. Do not allow guilt to turn a life-giving practice into another source of pressure. Simply begin again the next morning.
Also, protect the honesty of the space. Do not use prayer time to disguise criticism or force your spouse to discuss something before they are ready. Be gentle. Listen carefully. If a difficult business conversation needs to happen, schedule it separately so your morning routine can remain a place of connection rather than conflict.
Begin With What Matters Most
Our morning coffee routine does not make every day easy. It does not eliminate deadlines, disagreements, or unexpected problems. What it does is help us face those things from a better foundation.
We start grounded in faith. We make room for reflection. We remember that our marriage is more important than a single task or business outcome. We remember that we are human first: and that we are deeply grateful to walk this journey together.
You can begin tomorrow.
Set out two mugs. Open your Bible. Grab a notebook. Pray honestly, read slowly, write simply, and encourage each other before the world gets loud.
We are cheering you on, because we know the power of starting together. And if you want to stay connected with our conversations about faith, relationships, purpose, and meaningful work, connect with Chick n Dude Stuff.
With love and encouragement,
Buffy and Matt