5 Ways to Refresh Your Families Routine in Lebanon This Year
Are you tired of the chaos yet?
If you live in Wilson County, you know the drill. Between rushing the kids to school, fighting traffic on Cumberland Street, and trying to figure out what’s for dinner before everyone melts down, "routine" can feel like a dirty word.
We often start the year (or even just a new week) with high hopes. We buy the planners, we set the alarms, and we promise this time will be different. But then, real life happens. A tire goes flat, a kid gets sick, or work runs late.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need a perfect schedule to have a peaceful home. You just need a reset. As the Family Pastor here at Hope Baptist, I’ve seen firsthand how a few intentional shifts can change the atmosphere of a home.
Here are 5 ways to reset your family’s rhythm right here in Lebanon.
1. Audit Your Calendar (and Be Ruthless)
We tend to wear "busyness" like a badge of honor. But if your calendar is so full that you haven't seen your spouse in three days, something has to give. Sit down this week and look at your commitments.
2. Reclaim the Dinner Table
You don’t need to cook a gourmet meal every night. Seriously, grabbing takeout from a local spot is fine! The point isn't the food; it's the face time.
Rule of thumb: No phones at the table.
Ask better questions: Instead of "How was school?" try "What made you laugh today?" or "What was hard today?"
3. Anchor Your Week with "Encourage Groups"
It is easy to let Sunday mornings slide when the week has been exhausting. But we’ve found that families who start their week in community actually feel more rested, not less.
At Hope Baptist, we keep it simple. We meet right inside where the Outlet Mall building was. Our "Encourage Groups" (our version of small groups) happen on Sunday mornings. It’s a time to drink coffee, open the Bible, and talk to other adults who are in the exact same boat as you. It anchors your week in truth rather than chaos. You can learn more about our encourage groups at Hope here.
4. Plug the Kids Into Something Positive
If your kids are just drifting through the week on screens, they need a change of pace.
For the Teens: Our Student Ministry meets on Wednesday nights. It’s a safe place for them to ask big questions and navigate those tough middle and high school years.
For the Kids: Our Kids Ministry is designed to be the best hour of their week, teaching them Jesus loves them in a way they can understand.
5. Schedule Local "Unplugged" Time
Living in Lebanon gives us access to some great spots to just breathe. Put a recurring event on your calendar that is purely for family connection—no agenda.
The Real Reason for Routine
We don't build routines just to be productive. We build routines to make space for grace.
When our homes are chaotic, it’s hard to see Jesus. When we are constantly rushing, we miss the moments to disciple our kids or love our spouse. The Gospel reminds us that while we can’t earn God’s love through a perfect schedule, He desires order and peace for our families so we can know Him better.
Pastor Will often reminds us that we aren't looking for perfection at Hope Baptist; we're looking for progress. If your routine falls apart on Tuesday, His mercies are new on Wednesday.
Ready to hit reset?
We’d love to help you start this new rhythm. Come visit us this Sunday at the Outlet Mall. No need to dress up—just come as you are.
If you live in Wilson County, you know the drill. Between rushing the kids to school, fighting traffic on Cumberland Street, and trying to figure out what’s for dinner before everyone melts down, "routine" can feel like a dirty word.
We often start the year (or even just a new week) with high hopes. We buy the planners, we set the alarms, and we promise this time will be different. But then, real life happens. A tire goes flat, a kid gets sick, or work runs late.
Here’s the good news: You don’t need a perfect schedule to have a peaceful home. You just need a reset. As the Family Pastor here at Hope Baptist, I’ve seen firsthand how a few intentional shifts can change the atmosphere of a home.
Here are 5 ways to reset your family’s rhythm right here in Lebanon.
1. Audit Your Calendar (and Be Ruthless)
We tend to wear "busyness" like a badge of honor. But if your calendar is so full that you haven't seen your spouse in three days, something has to give. Sit down this week and look at your commitments.
- Identify the non-negotiables: Work, school, sleep.
- Highlight the drainers: Activities that cause more stress than joy.
- Cut one thing: Yes, really. Give your family the gift of margin.
2. Reclaim the Dinner Table
You don’t need to cook a gourmet meal every night. Seriously, grabbing takeout from a local spot is fine! The point isn't the food; it's the face time.
Rule of thumb: No phones at the table.
Ask better questions: Instead of "How was school?" try "What made you laugh today?" or "What was hard today?"
3. Anchor Your Week with "Encourage Groups"
It is easy to let Sunday mornings slide when the week has been exhausting. But we’ve found that families who start their week in community actually feel more rested, not less.
At Hope Baptist, we keep it simple. We meet right inside where the Outlet Mall building was. Our "Encourage Groups" (our version of small groups) happen on Sunday mornings. It’s a time to drink coffee, open the Bible, and talk to other adults who are in the exact same boat as you. It anchors your week in truth rather than chaos. You can learn more about our encourage groups at Hope here.
4. Plug the Kids Into Something Positive
If your kids are just drifting through the week on screens, they need a change of pace.
For the Teens: Our Student Ministry meets on Wednesday nights. It’s a safe place for them to ask big questions and navigate those tough middle and high school years.
For the Kids: Our Kids Ministry is designed to be the best hour of their week, teaching them Jesus loves them in a way they can understand.
5. Schedule Local "Unplugged" Time
Living in Lebanon gives us access to some great spots to just breathe. Put a recurring event on your calendar that is purely for family connection—no agenda.
- Take a Saturday morning walk at Don Fox Park.
- Go hike the trails at Cedars of Lebanon State Park.
- Grab donuts and just sit in the living room together.
The Real Reason for Routine
We don't build routines just to be productive. We build routines to make space for grace.
When our homes are chaotic, it’s hard to see Jesus. When we are constantly rushing, we miss the moments to disciple our kids or love our spouse. The Gospel reminds us that while we can’t earn God’s love through a perfect schedule, He desires order and peace for our families so we can know Him better.
Pastor Will often reminds us that we aren't looking for perfection at Hope Baptist; we're looking for progress. If your routine falls apart on Tuesday, His mercies are new on Wednesday.
Ready to hit reset?
We’d love to help you start this new rhythm. Come visit us this Sunday at the Outlet Mall. No need to dress up—just come as you are.
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