Routines

Inspired by a post on Jessica's blog I will make myself somewhat vulnerable and share my morning routine. The necessity of routine is made known in the fact that we fall apart so easily without them. I struggled for many years with hyperscheduleding, and do still somewhat. But I certainly do not do everything I ought to do in the morning on a regular basis. So here is what I would do if I can the gain the self-discipline(the dreaded word) of consistency:

Rise at 6:00 am, pray, do stretches, sit-ups, and other excercises

Shower and dress at 6:30

Have quiet time (Bible reading, meditation, prayer) at 7:00

Breakfast at 8:00 and be ready for family worship at 8:30

Now the key to rising as I ought is retiring when I ought, by 10:00 p.m. if possible, which I know very well is not always so. Flexibility in dealing with the unexpected is my major weakness, which by the grace of God I am learning to handle with grace. As I strive to live my life for the glory of God, I learn that He is a God of order and I can serve Him better when my life is in order as opposed to chaos. I would not say everyone has to be the hyper organizer I am. I recommend you don't. It is much too stressful. God grant that we may all be able to organize our routines in a way that best serves His purpose for us, not what we feel has to get done.

For A New Year

Every year people start afresh in many ways. Lots of people make resolutions to improve themselves in some way and as Christians, self-examination and the desire to know our Lord better and be better as a Christian should be something we constantly do. The turning of a year is a great time to think afresh. I like the turning of a year and trying to see how much I have grown in this past year. I remember one New Year's Day making a vast list of resolutions and then finding them at different times while cleaning out papers. Needless to say they did not become as habitual as I had planned on.

This year I have not really made any resolutions, I simply intend to follow the advice of several of my favorite Scriptures.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ...Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it. Psalm34: 1 and 14

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

Flee youthful lusts; but pursue righteousnesss, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22

There are a great many more favorite verses. I just recommend everyone read their whole Bible and you will find them. I heard a preacher recently say we ought to work on the things addressed in the verses we have not underlined. Chances are we work on what we have underlined. Well, everyone be careful in making resolutions and may God give you the grace to complete them.

Caitlin