The Hardest Part is Over

Amy and I have a new Sunday morning ritual. As soon as we get into the car for the drive to St. Marys, we turn to each other and say, “The hardest part is over.”

And it really is. The morning rush—waking up early, showering, ironing clothes, packing everything we need for Sunday School, choir, and church—can feel like a whirlwind. We grab our drinks and breakfast bars for the road, and finally settle into the car. With the Message playing on Sirius XM, the pace slows. The drive becomes peaceful, and our hearts begin to shift toward the joy of seeing friends and worshiping Jesus. The hardest part is over.

This ritual started with Amy. I’m not sure if she ever said it out loud back then, but I’m certain her Sunday mornings were always hectic—a lot more hectic than mine in other churches. I suspect she first developed this mindset when we had four small children. Most Sundays, I’d leave early and walk over to the church, leaving her to get Laura, Sara, Polly, and Robert out the door on her own. Compared to that, helping get just me ready these days must feel like a piece of cake.

I can still picture those mornings when the kids would ride to church in the red wagon. Amy would pack them all in and head out, leading the way. As the girls got older, they’d take turns pulling the younger two, turning the short journey into a little adventure. Most days were joyful—though there was that one time with Robert and the lost tooth (but we’ll save that story for another time). I imagine that when Amy finally got everyone settled in the wagon, she probably took a deep breath and thought to herself, The hardest part is over.

I remember Rev. Dick Burns once telling me that the devil works overtime on Sunday mornings, doing everything he can to make it hard for folks to get ready for church. I’ve come to believe there’s some truth in that. Just the sheer task of getting a family up, dressed, fed, and out the door with a good attitude can feel like a spiritual battle all its own.

And it’s not just Sunday mornings. Starting anything—anything worthwhile—takes effort. Overcoming inertia is one of the hardest parts. Whether it's beginning a new habit, showing up to a meeting, getting back into prayer, or even just stepping into a new routine, the resistance is real. It’s often easier to stay in bed, stay home, or stay stuck. But once you get moving—once you take that first step—momentum starts to build. And sometimes, all it takes is a small ritual, a deep breath, or a quiet phrase like, The hardest part is over, to help you push through.

The truth is, once the hardest part was behind us, we had a wonderful day of worship. We reconnected with friends and dove into a meaningful Sunday School lesson on the Last Supper. A talented quartet sang a powerful old gospel song, written by a woman whose husband had been delivered from alcoholism—a testimony wrapped in melody. We heard about the ministry of Wesley Woods and the joy it brings to children, lifting up prayers for the upcoming summer camps and all the excitement they hold. And we worshiped Jesus through the richness of beloved hymns. It truly was a beautiful day.

So, I hope our little ritual serves as a gentle reminder not to let inertia keep you from experiencing what God has in store. What God offers is always worth getting ready for. My prayer is that God’s grace surrounds both you and me, giving us the strength to start each day—especially Sundays—by pushing through the hardest part, so we can fully step into the joy He has prepared for us.

Until next time… Grace and peace.