Scheduling "Renewing My Mind"

 

  Last week I began a new schedule and chore system with my children.  I have purposed to go to bed a little earlier, get up earlier, and spend time with God  DAILY!  I found that spending time in my Word, in prayer, and meditating on Scripture was pushed aside way too often.  God had been dealing with me for a LONG time about my devotion time.

I changed our chores around, actually requiring more of my girls.  I felt like I spent all my time just trying to stay afloat, stressed because I was constantly trying to get housework and homeschooling things done.  Now, our entire family is doing better.  Even my girls, with more responsibility, are blossoming with a schedule.  They are learning that chores don't take all day, and that school is not all they have to do during the day.

My time with God has been wonderful.  It's actually contagious.  The more time I spend with God, in my Bible, and in prayer; the more I want to do those things.  In fact, after only a week of consistent, daily time with the Lord, I NEED it!  I don't want to miss it.  I'll sacrifice time doing nearly anything else so I don't miss that time with the Lord. 

As I tweak the schedule, I am amazed that so much is getting done during the day.  After a brief time of adjusting, I want to tweak the schedule more and add in exercise time.  That is another area where I have not done what I need to.  I was walking regularly, but I have developed Plantar Faciitis in my feet.  So, my workouts now need to be something with less pounding for awhile while my feet heal.  I'm looking into more strength training and toning, adding in walking as summer progresses, but in shorter distances with a slower pace.  While I know the faster pace and longer distance helps with weight loss, injuring myself only sets me back.  

I've learned that, if I don't schedule it, I won't do it.  Oh, school will get done.  That's for the kids.  But things that I need will get pushed aside for all the things I can temporarily convince are more urgent at the moment.  Whether it be time with the Lord or exercise time or even time to make a healthy meal, I know that I need to schedule things.  I'm trying to remain somewhat flexible or I will get frustrated by trying to keep the schedule, but so far things are actually flowing more smoothly during the day.  Putting God first definitely helps me in my daily walk.