Changing Habits

I was reminded the other day at church that living for Christ is an adventure.  There are days when the cares of this world seem to weigh me down.  On those days, an adventure seems silly.  But God has plans that aren't silly. 

After church we held a leadership training class. There we discussed how habits can make or break us in so many ways and areas.

I received this Joyce Meyer book for my birthday a few weeks ago.  I have yet to read it.  After all, sometimes living in ignorance means I don't have to change.  But when reality sinks in, and I keep making the same stupid mistakes, I realize I might need to train myself.

I might need too set the example for my children.

I love how the very first habit discussed is the "God habit".  I keep putting off Bible time with Jasmine and Laura.  They get busy working on school while I make breakfast.  I have to remind myself that they can do whatever they are doing after time with the Lord.  When we're done reading, I jump into school with Megan.

Not only has devotional life with my daughters here at home suffered, but my personal time with the a Lord too.  

Daily time with the Lord is the only way to developed fruit. My days seem jam-packed with busyness: Homeschooling, house chores, lesson prep for church, cooking meals, doctor appointments.  It all adds up to feeling very busy.  In fact, I've had to rethink some of the schedule I've set for myself because I just get exhausted... And I feel like I've gone in circles and accomplished little!

I've realized that I have to do more in the evenings, and less crammed into the mornings!  Getting up earlier only helps so much, and I am horrible at it.  I like some time alone, and that happens best in the evenings.  I can read, pray, and even worship after the kids have gone to bed.  I have a difficult time doing that in the mornings.  First, my husband is home in the mornings.  He works midnights.  He's usually winding down, getting ready for bed.  If I'm awake, I don't focus on God at that time.  I focus on him instead.  We spend the time chatting, and I don't get the quiet time I'm desiring.  Many evenings my hubby is gone, but even on his days off, it's easy for me to escape and spend quiet time.  

I'm thinking of just doing a small devotion in the morning, and spending my deep time with the Lord in the evenings.  This way, I'm still starting my day out with the Lord.  If I turn on some worship music while I cook breakfast, that could perk me up!  I love worship!

Breakfasts have become big deals for me.  As I move to a lifestyle that nourishes my body and helps with my health issues, I find myself ditching processed cereals for eggs, bacon, and whole, "real" foods.  This means breakfast takes up to an hour to prepare.  The benefit is that we are all starting our day with a quality breakfast, filling proteins to help my ADD children focus on their school.  The downside...it takes FOREVER!  This definitely limits us.  After breakfast and Bible time with my older two girls, I often don't get Megan started on her school until 10 or later!  I may start cooking bacon ahead of time to reduce breakfast prep time, since that takes the longest.

I feel God leading me to do some things differently.  This adventure is not supposed to be boring.  Continually learning.  Continually growing.  I'm praying about some choices where I feel God leading, over little things and big.  Trust me, little or big, when God leads, it can cause my little comfort zone to be shaken.

An adventure... Don't we all long for one?  Don't we all want our lives to be full?  Don't we all long to look back on or lives one day and smile.  It's not about just the fun times, though those are wonderful to remember.  It's also about the harder times.  It's about the way God holds us when we grieve.  It's about the satisfaction we feel when we were obedient to the Lord, even in the face of mocking or persecution.  It's about Jesus, not us.