“Elizabeth, I want to talk about your eating plan for the race tomorrow.” I looked up from my homework to find my dad standing over my desk. “My…eating plan?” Dad flashed his trust-me smile. “I’ve been reading about metabolic surges. Here’s what I want you to try…” I’m happy to tell you that my well-meaning dad cared enough to make a race-day “eating plan” for his daughter. I’m sorry to tell you that plan involved eating a candy bar twenty minutes before a 1600-meter race. I’m even sorrier to tell you I came in last place. (Thank you, bad food science).

As misguided as my dad’s metabolic surge theory was, he was right about this: Proper nutrition takes planning.

And as a Christian athlete, you need more than just a healthy diet: you need spiritual nourishment if you don’t want to feel like a sack of dry bones stumbling around.

Staying spiritual nourished during hectic seasons takes three things: intentionality, consistency, and creativity.

Intentionality: This means making a plan. Can you establish a routine for spending time with God each day? Set a realistic goal you can pull off even on the busiest of days: five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes.

Consistency: When will you spend that time? We’re more likely to spend time with God when we are consistent—when we pray and listen to God’s Word at a similar time each day. Then it becomes a habit. and we don’t have to remind ourselves to do it.

Psalm 5 gives us a peek into David’s routine: Every morning before his day got going, he went to God. Morning times with God don’t work for everyone, but they do have a few advantages:

Creativity: If you are barely able to form coherent sentences when you wake up, a morning routine may not be the best fit for you. You might have to be creative to figure out a time that works. I invite you to take time to choose a routine for your walk with God during your busy season.

Find a rhythm that works for you, a plan that brings joy. Then wait in expectation for your Heavenly Father in heaven to draw near.

Once you come up with an idea for a routine, share it with a spiritual friend or mentor. Ask them if they think your plan is realistic and if they have any other suggestions. You might also consider inviting them to check in to see how it’s going.

Don’t wait for a less busy season to draw near to God—find a rhythm that helps you meet with Him right in the middle of this one.

Adapted from In Season: A 90-Day Devotional for Female Student Athletes to Build Faith, Strengthen Confidence, and Train a Growth Mindset by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. Copyright © 2026 by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. Used by permission of Zonderkidz.