A real-life look at how I use The Hope Planner to set my days up for success – and why I think it’s the best Christian planner out there!
Every mom needs a good planner
I love a good to-do list. In all reality, I’m at that stage of mom life where, if I don’t write something down, it’s almost impossible that I’ll actually remember to do it.
But it’s also easy to get sucked into all the tasks on my list, and forget to prioritize the things that are actually most important in life.
Things like spending time with Jesus. Encouraging my family. Checking in on friends. These things matter!
I’ve tried a variety of planners over the years. Some digital, some paper. Some pricey, some DIY. But now that I’ve tried The Hope Planner, I keep coming back year after year. In my experience, it is definitely the best Christian planner out there!
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How The Hope Planner shapes my day
As a mom, one of my favorite parts of the day is my morning time. I get up before the kids, pour a cup of hot coffee, and sit down with a cute box of my devotional supplies.
It’s quiet. Delicious. Calm. Peaceful. Exactly what every mom needs.
Inside that devotional box, I have a few key items:
- My Bible
- A prayer journal
- Some pens
- A handful of index cards for notes and prayer lists
- My Hope Planner
I’ve used the weekly version and the daily version, and personally, I love the daily version the best. For Christian moms aiming for daily time in God’s Word, in prayer, and organizing a to-do list, this is the best Christian planner!
My morning time routine with the Hope Planner
In my morning time, I let the Hope Planner’s layout guide me.
First, I read Scripture and jot down a few notes or a verse to memorize and meditate on.
Then, I pray over that Scripture and the issues popping into my head. I pull out my index cards from the front pocket that have my regular prayer lists on them – things I want to pray for my kids, for our home, for my friends, for the world.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START IN THE BIBLE? Grab my free 45-day Bible and Prayer Guide!
After Bible reading and prayer, I like that The Hope Planner then moves from “devotional” to “do.”
I get to review my day, map out my to-do list, and highlight my priorities. This is when I get to start thinking about my day and then moving things forward.
I can pray over the day ahead, put stars and notes by things I want to prioritize, and even jot down a plan for dinner. (Will it really happen? Um… )
Why I think The Hope Planner is the best Christian planner
I’ve been using The Hope Planner for about 5 years now. I’ve tried the weekly version and daily version. (And I’ve settled on the daily version… at least for this buys season of staying home with my 4 toddlers. The days get crazy!)
In fact, last year a friend gave me a different planner – an expensive, beautiful, fancy planner. I did use it for a few months. But after awhile, I spent my own money to buy a new copy of The Hope Planner. It’s just the best!
I need the structure that The Hope Planner gives me. I love that it puts Bible time and prayer time first. That reminds me not to get trapped in focusing too closely on my plans, my lists, my tasks… but to focus first and foremost on my relationship with Jesus.
Everything else flows from that.
And yes, I need the structure too of the “everything else”! Reviewing my daily schedule and to-do list is so helpful in feeling successful each and every day as a Christian mom.
How The Hope Planner impacts my day as a Christian mom
As I’ve come to realize that The Hope Planner is the best Christian planner for me (and I think for every busy mom!) I’ve seen 3 big ways that it impacts my day.
- I can always be confident that the true priority of my day happens – spending time with Jesus.
- The plans for every day are intentional. I’ve looked at what’s happening, identified priorities, and reviewed my plan. Plus, it’s written down, so I can check back during the kids’ naptime to remind myself of what I was trying to get done!
- Having a plan for the day helps me shepherd my toddlers through the day. There are fewer meltdowns (from mom and kids!) when we know what’s coming and already know what our real priorities are.
Is it really worth the effort to use a paper planner?
Can I just answer this in a simple word? YES!
I know, we live in a digital world. I’m sure you have a digital calendar and plenty of other helpful apps. But let’s be real… you probably also have some less-than-helpful apps on that very same phone.
RELATED: How To Crush These 5 Normal Things That Are Distracting You From Giving Positive Attention To Your Family
So I think there are a few big reasons why a paper planner is worth the effort:
- You don’t want to start your day with technology. It sucks you in and won’t let you go!
- The other apps on your phone (or tablet, or whatever) are a big temptation to distract you away from what you’re actually trying to focus on at the moment
- Writing things down impacts how you think about, process, and remember things.
In my opinion, a paper planner is a MUST! (And yes, I still use a digital calendar too!)
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Even if The Hope Planner is the best Christian planner out there… is it really worth the money?
It’s a big thing to call my planner the best Christian planner out there. Obviously, I haven’t tried them all. But, I’m super frugal, so I’ve tried plenty of the cheaper options. And I’ve tried some pricier options. And every time, I wind up back with The Hope Planner.
(That’s why I think it’s the best Christian planner.)
I see changes in my day when I use the Hope Planner. Do I miss some days? Of course. And sometimes, I’ll rush through the Bible time so I can start my to-do list. But it’s a regular part of my rhythm, and I love it.
For me, even with our tight budget and my frugal personality, it’s worth spending a bit of money on an item that I use every single day and that I find so valuable.
Why I use the daily version instead of the weekly version of The Hope Planner
Although the weekly version of the Hope Planner is great, and I did use that for about a year (because it was a little cheaper!), I realized that the #1 thing I love about The Hope Planner is that it makes sure I put my Bible and prayer time FIRST.
Most of us moms are quick to jump to our list of things to do. It’s never-ending. We always feel a little behind. There’s always more that can be done around the house or for our family.
But time with Jesus is so important. And because the Hope Planner is set up so that the Bible reading and prayer time come BEFORE the daily scheduling and planner (at least, in the daily version of the planner, which I use), I don’t even have to think about it.
RELATED: Mom Hacks For Getting A Devotional Time On The Regular
At 6am when my coffee is hot and my brain is mushy, I just do what the planner tells me.
And what it tells me is: Bible first. Prayer next. Then, plan your day.
That’s how I want to start my day, and I’m thankful that The Hope Planner helps me do that easily.
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