Follow Through

I'm a person who loves getting organized. I make lists all the time. Lists for grocery shopping, packing, what projects I want to get done around the house, creative things I want to try to make. I love to create charts like menus, chores, family schedules, etc. I love going shopping for baskets, buckets, and tins to organize my pantry, closets, or baby things.  I love looking up Bible studies and writing about verses that speak to me. I have every intention of getting organized and staying in the Word daily.

Following through... that's a whole nother story.

The most important part of my day, should be the time I spend in my Bible and praying. But let's be honest... I spend more time on the computer, playing with my son (which is important), running errands, cleaning house, or watching TV then I do actually getting into the Word. Here's another thing...my husband feels respected and able to rest when he comes home to a clean house. And let's be honest once again: he works all day and I don't have a full time job. I work at home, but it's not a demanding job and it's something I can choose to do when I want. So I am home all day with my 11 month old son. I know have the time to clean, to get organized, to be creative.  I know have the time to get in the Word and really study what God wants to teach me. And I spend a lot of that time just looking at ways to do these things, instead of actually doing them. I also just want to be lazy sometimes... I'm can be a lazy person. There I said it. It's selfish. Yes, stay-at-home mom's definitely need their rest and alone time too! But everyday, all day laziness? What does God say?

"But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?" Proverbs 6:9
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." Proverbs 13:4
"Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

So here's something I've started...

1. Set two reminders on my phone
     Both reminders say "Get on Your Knees & in the Word". One reminder is set for about 9:15am, which is just after my son usually goes down for his first nap. Once he's down I can take 20-30 minutes and just dig into my Bible and write in my prayer journal. AND still fit in a shower, hair, and makeup before he wakes up.
     The other reminder is through my Holy Bible app and is set for 8:30pm, after my son is in bed and on most nights I'm just watching TV anyway. I downloaded the app a long time ago and it's awesome! You can read the Bible on the go, get different versions, and even download devotional plans to follow everyday! I'm currently doing a Joyce Meyer one that has a short devotional and Bible verse. I have this time to quiet down, breathe, and just come before God with my heart open. So no matter how my day goes: busy, crazy, lazy, whatever... I have no excuse to "forget" or "be too busy". I'm choosing to start and end my day with Christ.

2. Prayer/Bible Study Journal
   This has been a big thing for me since high school. I very much enjoy writing, and have found comfort in being able to express my feelings to God in this way. It's awesome to read through some of my prayers and the verses that have spoke to me and see how God has answered prayer. I always date my entries, and hate when I look back and see how long it's been since I've written. It keeps me accountable in a way. Often when I'm not sure what to read in my Bible, I'll start with chapter 1 of a book I haven't read through. Currently, I'm going chapter by chapter through Romans and writing down the verses that speak to me and a short prayer to God about how to apply them. It's amazing what I've missed before or verses I've read, but just are speaking to me in a different way.

3. Get Organized - start somewhere!
    Like I said, I like the process of becoming organized, but DOING it and be consistent is what I'm working on. So with my downtime today, I created my own organizational chart. It took a bit, but it's going to help make the most of my time, keep our family organized, my house clean, and keeps me accountable. Here's how - I created a cleaning list of everything that needs to be done on a daily basis. I'm sure you've seen something like this on Pinterest. Every day I have 3 things to do, that's it. It will keep my house clean, my husband happy, and leave me with more time with my family and with God. I also made a Menu chart. Both of these charts will be framed and put in my kitchen where I can write on them with a dry erase marker... checking off those chores as I go! Sometimes seeing your own progress is enough to make your continue to follow through.

Take time to be on your knees in prayer before Christ. Open your Bible, or Bible app, and start reading the promises and teachings of Christ. And don't be lazy... it's easy to be lazy, but there is little reward in it. Choose to work hard for God, your family, and yourself!