When You Need a Reason to Rise & Shine

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;  
my soul shall exult in my God,  
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;  
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,  
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 
ISAIAH 61:10 ESV 

There was a period in my life when I’d open my eyes in the morning, stare at the ceiling, and whisper to God, “Why did You wake me up this morning? Why don’t You just take me home? This life is too hard.” 

Sometimes it’s hard to see any point in getting up. I get it. But this verse reminds us that we have the greatest reason in the world to jump out of bed, rejoicing. It’s the opposite of the tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” He sashayed around town, showing off an imaginary suit of velvet and lace, only to find that his near nakedness was very much on display. We get to march through life in power and beauty, our nakedness replaced by the most resplendent robes ever seen on earth: the garments of salvation.  

It makes me think of the day when someone sent my two daughters, then wee toddlers, the dresses of their dreams: emblazoned with gold unicorns on the chest, reflective rose gold palettes trimming the hem, and best of all, tutu-type skirts that flared out as they spun around and around in the sunshine. 

“Look, Mama! We’re princesses!” I remember them calling out as they made themselves dizzy watching their skirts flare out, the palettes catching glints of sunlight. Oh, their precious little faces! Lit up with joy and sunshine! They wanted to wear those dresses everywhere—school, church, the playground, the grocery store, while wrestling with their dad, even to sleep. Why? Because when they wore them, they felt special. They felt like the kinds of people they always wanted to be (beautiful princesses) but knew they couldn’t be on their own.  

Get this: The Hebrew for the word exult conveys not only rejoicing but also spinning around! Beloved, our garments of salvation, the ones Jesus Himself wrapped around us through His sacrifice on the cross. . . oh the beauty! If we could see them, I wager we’d all be spinning around and around in the sunshine, tears streaming down our faces with joy! Rise, my friend! Not only has He clothed you with such finery because He loves you, but also because He has a purpose for you. Adjust your headdress, my love, because you are a priest, employed by Him to serve His flock. Fasten that earring, darling, because He has promised Himself to you, to bring you the gift of being known and protected. We can’t always know why He has given us another morning, but if He has given us one, then we must rise to the occasion! 

As you prepare these doughnuts, consider why God woke you up this morning. Think through three of your talents, three things that make you, you. 

Pray With Me 

Father, sometimes it feels easier for me to stay in bed and hide under the covers than it is to get up and face the day. Sometimes it feels like even though I know I should rise and shine, I have no “shine” left to give. Thank You for this reminder that, because of Your sacrifice, I have every reason to rejoice! My circumstances may not be what I want, but wrapped in Your robes of salvation, I have every reason to rejoice anyway. Strengthen me to rise to the occasion You’ve set before me. Help me to see why You’ve put me here, and bless me with every little thing I need to complete the mission You’ve created for me. Thank You, Lord. Amen. 

Matcha Donuts 

MAKES 12 SERVINGS | TOTAL TIME: 2 HOURS 40 MINUTES | ACTIVE TIME: 40 MINUTES 

4¼ cups (510g) all purpose flour 

¼ cup (64g) granulated sugar 

2 teaspoons (6g or 1 packet) instant or rapid-rise yeast 

1¼ cups whole milk 

2 large eggs 

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 

11/4 teaspoon (10g) fine sea salt 

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 

2 quarts neutral oil (such as vegetable or canola) for frying 

Matcha Glaze 

1 cup (5 ounces) confectioner’s sugar 

1½ teaspoons matcha powder 

Pinch of fine sea salt 

3 tablespoons hot water 

Matcha Sugar Topping 

½ cup (113g) granulated sugar 

1½ teaspoons matcha powder 

Pinch of fine sea salt 

1. Stir flour, sugar, and yeast together in the bowl of your stand mixer. Add milk, eggs, vanilla extract, salt, and butter, mixing with a rubber spatula until well combined.

2. Attach the dough hook, and mix on medium-low speed until a ball forms, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more flour, 2 tablespoons at a time, if the dough is too sticky.

3. Grease a large bowl with oil. Pop the dough into this bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour or until it has doubled in size. (If your counter tends to run cold, fold a kitchen towel and place it between your bowl and your counter so the dough doesn’t get cold.)

4. Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Divide into 12 even portions and roll into balls. Flatten one and pinch through the center with your thumb and forefinger, then gently form a 3-inch ring.

5. Place doughnuts on 2 floured sheet pans, leaving a generous amount of room between them. Allow to rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

6. About 20 minutes before donuts are done rising, warm oil in a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Set a wire rack in another sheet pan, and line it with a double layer of paper towels.

7. Carefully add doughnuts to the hot oil, either using your fingers or a metal spatula. You should be able to cook 3 to 4 at a time. Fry until bottoms are deep golden brown, about 45 seconds. Use a spider skimmer or a slotted spoon to flip them over. Cook until they’re deep golden brown all over. Transfer doughnuts to prepared rack to cool.

8. Matcha frosting: whisk together sugar, matcha and salt, then add hot water. Whisk until smooth.

9. Matcha sugar: whisk together sugar and matcha powder

10. Toss half of the still-warm donuts in the matcha sugar. Set aside.

11. Dip the tops of the remaining doughnuts in the matcha glaze. Allow frosting to set up, about 20 minutes.

12. Serve!

*This is an excerpt from Unwind: A Devotional Cookbook for the Harried & Hungry from Aarti Sequeira.  

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