a new habit

You know that new-believer love of all things Bible?  That giddiness?  Those countless hours you easily spent pouring over Scripture?

They pass away, don't they?

Yes, what was once like chocolate, becomes like broccoli without cheesesauce (at times).

Discipline becomes a requirement once the giddiness subsides--especially for exhausted parents of littles.

If you're like me and you're not so disciplined, well......then you can plan on faltering.

I did.

I don't know where you are in terms of years saved, but I want to share with you how I've gotten over this hump.

Through some sort of revelation, maybe divine, I've learned to embed the devotions into daily tasks--tasks that must occur every day, regardless of how I feel. Think eating, showering, laundry, bathing kids.  The specific one that works for me?  Eating time.

In contrast, when I tried to put devotions in the early morning or at night, temptations abounded.  I would roll over and go back to sleep, telling myself I would surely make time later.  Or I would fold that load of clothes and clean up that floor, telling myself the next day would be less stressful if those things got done while the kids slept.  Or I would blog and do bills and dishes, only to fall asleep when I finally got to my Bible.

Sound familiar?

Forget those ways!  If they haven't worked by now, they aren't going to.  For you.

Try something new.

At first you need some sort of reminder, such as routinely leaving your Bible on your dining room table chair, or in your bathroom (if you read while kiddos bathe), or on your clothes dryer (if you read a chapter each time you shuffle laundry).

About twenty-one days later (or so), you won't need the visual reminder anymore.  You've given birth to a habit.

As I'm setting the table, I do a mental check to ensure I've included everything--salt, pepper, napkins, milk, glasses, serving spoons, etc., so that I'm not acting out a cranky-waitress role.  All moms have played that role at mealtimes, I'm sure.

Someone does prayer, then the whole family starts eating, except for me.  After covering my food with foil, I commence reading Scripture, stopping to discuss concepts when necessary.  Husband usually leads the discussion, since he's had five years of intense Bible College.  Boy, does that come in handy!  Don't rely on me to come up with obscure historical facts and cultural notes.

Since the family is busy eating, the event is mostly free of interruptions.  Unless of course you have an incessantly-talking ADHD child, in which case you can be assured of questions and comments.
_________

"Why are you skipping those adultery chapters in Proverbs?"  (He overhead me discussing it briefly with husband.)

"Well, um.  We've decided to read them to you before you get married."

Several days later, while we're still in Proverbs:

"What if we get married and you forget to read the adulteress chapters to us?  What will happen to us?"  (Remember, he has an anxiety disorder too.)

"Well, Peter.  I'm sure you'll remind me.  No worries.  Can I continue?"
__________

I can't say I'm as giddy as a new believer after developing this habit.  But my time in Scripture is now anything but a chore.  I thoroughly enjoy it!

The same thing works for prayer.  I pray while nursing my baby, and while I shower, and when I'm driving alone (which is usually just to the grocery store and back).  Remember that ADHD child?  He ensures there's no prayer time when he's in the car.  When the family is along, driving means answering questions.  I sound sarcastic, but really, I know I'm blessed to have a carload of littles along with me!

Happy reading.  And praying!  Enjoy that chocolate, or at least that cheesesauce!

sorry note

Can you decipher this sorry note?

I am sorry for my spoold bhafyor.

busted!

Sweet Mary.

Busted!  She loves containers of crayons and pencils--and especially sticking pencils in the pencil sharpener.

Oh, no.  Not the wall!

Did I ever tell you he talks incessantly?  I had to take a picture mid-sentence!

Busted! We bake a whole chicken once a week.  My kids snack on chicken as though it were scrumptious cookies.  Big sister got the container out of the fridge, and the next I know this one is diggin' in.

Sunday Mornings

Did you see this on the Pursuing Titus 2 blog?  Trust me, you must see it, about James 3.  It just might change your Sunday mornings forever.

swooning over pics

She's always happy!  And I'm always pinching myself.  Do I really have two daughters?  Two?  I never thought I'd have any!

I like berries!  Big brother and Mommy do too.  I guess we'll be fightin' over 'em for years to come.

I'm at a church function, having a good ole time!

A slide!  I need to get me one!  Fun!

Sister is hanging out too.

Everyone around here just loves me!  Know what I'm sayin'?

What am I supposed to do again? (We did this the Sat. before Easter, rather than on Easter.  Thus, no frilly Easter dress in the pic.)

Daily Blessings for Saturday:

- My baby.  If I say "Praise God!", she puts her arms and hands up to the heavens and laughs.  Life. doesn't. get. any. better!

- My house is clean.

-  I read the Bible three times today.

- My kids are fun.

- My kids are cute.

- My kids are vibrantly alive.

- My kids are not driving me crazy.  Today.  (Because I read the Bible 3x?  Hmm.)

- The surrogate grandparent relationship set up with our Pastor's help is a big answer to prayer!  They brought pizza and root beer to us for dinner tonight.  Long time since we've had a pizza treat.  We were all a bit giddy about it.

- I didn't have to do any dishes tonight.  Whoopee!

- Beth's last molar came through.  I think that qualifies as a blessing.  She wakes up less to nurse now.  Bittersweet.   I can get more done in the evenings uninterrupted--a life changing turn of events.  But now, I wish she wouldn't sleep so long.  There are still two to three nursings between bedtime and morning, but who knows for how long?  Humans. Weird, eh?  We think we want something badly (uninterrupted chore time), but when we get it we want something different (endless nursing).

- I went to Walmart last week and a man referred to me as Baby Beth's mother!  Hear that?  Someone--a man no less--thinks I look young enough to be her mother!  My spirit soared that trip. (In case you're new here--Beth is 16 months, and I'm 44.  And yes, I'm Momma.)

- We have an angel at church who has given us $350 all together, in three gifts.  I think it's the grandparent couple, but I'm not sure--always anonymously.  I'm glad I don't know.  It's hard receiving gifts like that.  Really hard.  All my life I've given something back when someone has given a gift.  Just sitting back and receiving kills me.  Still.

Case in point.  The grandmother (surrogate--Eleanor) drove the boys to AWANA last week. She helps in AWANA every week with verses, and with the bookkeeping.   I can't go anymore; husband's schedule changed and he now has the van during that time.  I made sure I had homemade cookies ready to give her for helping me.  My need to give back seems so contrived.  So phony.  But it isn't phony.  It's a real desire to thank someone, even though it comes from an uncomfortable place inside me.  Something in me says, "Quick, give something back!"  Almost this panicky feeling.  Precisely why it took me so long to become a Christian, perhaps?  I couldn't accept the Something For Nothing plan?

Oh sure, grace through faith sounds like we are doing something.  We're doing faith, right?   But the faith comes from God, too!   We don't participate in the deal, really, except to put out our hand, like a beggar.  I'm glad I put out my hand to Jesus!  Praise God!

- I received a Fed Ex envelope from the mortgage company.  They might modify the loan (temporarily lower payments?) since our income went down.  I hate official paperwork, but tomorrow night I'll tackle it. Their gift isn't something for nothing, I'm sure; they'll make out in the end.  But for now...a blessing.