Now that school is back in session, many families are fine tuning their morning routines. This month, Good News Wants to Know…Are you an early bird or a night owl? Why?
I love listening to birds sing in the dark before the sun rises. This ‘dawn chorus’ is a reminder that I can also sing in hope. No matter how long the night, the sun is going to rise because God is faithful. And this is a great way to start the day.
Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
This is an easy question for me. I’m an early bird. I wanna be up and moving in anticipation of the sun coming up. Why? I’m afraid I’m going to miss something!
William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott
Early birds get the worm. But night owls get the mouse… and west coast baseball.
Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting
I am a lifelong night owl, who is trying hard to be an early bird. It is hard to break the habit of years of late-night television and work emails, but we are getting there. I am at a 6:00 a.m. wake up but working on joining the 5:00 a.m. club.
Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100
To be honest, I am both. I stay up late and like to get up early. I feel like there is too much to do to spend a lot of time sleeping.
Chris Lane, President, First Priority of South Florida
My wife, Jennifer, is a night owl, and by nature, I am an early bird. Over the years, I have had to adjust. What that means is that most of my adult life I have been sleep deprived! But I hardly ever minded, so long as it gave us more time together.
H. Collins Forman, P.A.
I have always been an early bird. I find that starting my day with purpose and intention makes my days much more productive. I have time to enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee, read the Bible and whatever devotional I’m working through at the time, pray, read for personal growth and prep for the day while most of the world is still sleeping.
Craig D. Huston, Summit Achievers
I’m more of an early bird because my early birds (doves, sparrows, cardinals, blue jays and a big, white, tame dove) are up and waiting for me to put out bird seed for them. For me, it’s the perfect way to start my day sitting under palm trees with birds and squirrels surrounding me as I listen to my daily audio bible (DAB) app then pray.
Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Being in the concrete business back in the day made me an early bird for sure. And, to this day, I still am. As the old saying goes, “the early bird gets the eggs and bacon.” It seems that King David was an early bird as well. He writes in Psalm 5:3, “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” There is nothing like enjoying fellowship with the Lord early before the noise and busyness of life hits full volume.
Fidel Gomez, Pastor
I am certainly an early bird! I love to get a workout in before my day gets started. When I have tried working out later, I eventually find reasons to skip it!
Dr. Fred Scarbrough, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Florida
I am an early bird. Up by 5:15. My routine is to feed7 cats and dogs and then bring my wife coffee. We have 30 minutes to catch up before we get our day started. Keeps us both informed on what’s happening.
Gregg Wallick
Early bird for sure! I’ve always loved getting up before sunrise. When the rest of the world is still asleep and quiet, peace is felt. Just coffee and my special time with my Lord… Though I’ve been a night owl as well. Lately my feathers have been relaxing sooner and my eyes want to close a little earlier!! My hoot is more of a whisper…Lol! It’s a good thing!!
Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty
I consider myself an early bird, which works well with Morning Radio Drive Time. If you are an early bird too, tune in with me to Mornings with Eric and Brigitte on 89.3 FM from 6-9 a.m. to hear South Florida’s very own Live and Local Christian radio show.
Jesse Carroccio, Station Manager, WRMB Moody Radio
I’m definitely an early bird! It’s because my “gas tank” is full early on, so I can get things done promptly. By the late afternoon/early evening, I’m running close to empty.
Larry Lacy, Pastor, The Answer Church
I love getting up early, having a pitch-black cup of coffee while I meditate on scripture and have a meaningful conversation with the Creator of the Universe!
Laura C. Bishop, Executive Vice President of Development, Palm Beach Atlantic University
My preference is to be a night owl. However, with work and time constraints, this is almost impossible. So, my workday usually starts at 6 a.m.
Milan Stefanovic, Chief Operations & Personal Lines Officer, Bass Underwriters
I am a night owl, 100%. I like staying up late for a few reasons. First, I feel more awake and productive in the evening. It’s like my energy and creativity peak later in the day, so I get more done when the world is quieter and there are fewer distractions. Plus, staying up late often feels more relaxing for me. I get to unwind and enjoy my personal time without interruptions.
Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary
I would say I am both an early bird and a night owl. As a director of theatrical productions, most of my work is at night with rehearsals and performances. By the time I get home and unwind, it’s late in the evening. However, I make it a point to wake up early to have my quiet time with the Lord and launch into my morning routine before the day gets started.
Oksana Horton, Artistic Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company
I am an early bird and night owl. As a young teenager I worked in a Baptist Nursing Home and had to be there at 6:30 a.m. Doing this all through high school my first 4 years of college, I developed a pattern of waking up at 5:30 a.m. I still wake up at that hour, and I still enjoy watching the sunrise and getting started on any tasks for the day. In the evening, I get a “second wind” at about 6 p.m. and do most of my housework, paper grading and writing until 11 p.m. As of late, I have found that I need to add in a nap mid-day.
Patricia L. Colangelo, EdS., South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary
I am positively an ‘early bird.’ I am typically up between 4 and 5 a.m. To me it’s the most precious time of day because it seems like the whole world is quiet and peaceful, which makes it a very special time with the Lord. Several times throughout scripture it says “Jesus rose up early in the morning to spend time with His Father.” I see a good pattern to follow!! Also, because I work with children, I know I need to get up a little bit earlier to be able to keep up with them!!! It also helps that I am in bed by 8 or 9 p.m. lol
Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and President, SAINTS Homeschool P.E. and SAINTS International Sports Ministry
As a father of 4 young children, 11 and under, I would consider myself an early bird. In order to get myself and everyone ready for school and work in the morning, it is necessary to be up early. The Bible also speaks a lot about how God speaks to us in the morning, and before I even hit the floor in the morning, I am on my knees in prayer, reading Scripture and my daily devotional to ensure I start the day off right, seeking God first. Just as Matthew 6:33 tells us, when we seek Him first, He will take care of all of our other needs for that day and beyond.
Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor, Calvary Chapel Parkland
For more Good News, read the GOOD NEWS September 2024 issue at: https://digital.goodnewsfl.org/2024/september/#1