Habits

It's been a while since I've posted anything. The beginning of a semester is always a hectic time for people who work in schools. And it is amazing to me how quickly I always fall into bad habits when I am on a break from school. For example, going to sleep on time. I have to wake up by 5:30, at the latest to get to work in the morning. And I need a lot of sleep, so that means an early bed time for me. But during school breaks, I quickly fall into the "staying up late, sleeping in late" routine. And I rationalize it. It's not that big of a deal. I'll just go to bed on time a night or two before school starts. I deserve to have fun once in a while. Rationalization aside, every year I find myself back at work after a break, exhausted cause I couldn't fall asleep early because I'd gotten into the bad habit of staying up late.

"Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of." Not getting enough sleep is a fairly innocent example, but there are many bad habits we fall into quickly that are not so innocent. Ultimately, our habits define us. Stephen Covey says, "Our character is basically a composite of our habits. Because they are consistent, often unconscious patterns, they constantly, daily, express our character". Whoa. My habits express my character. I don't like many of my habits. They are ugly. They are lazy. They are self-centered. They are not things that glorify Him, or actions that would allow others to see Him in my life.

So, as Horace Mann says, "Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it." One thread at a time. One day at a time. One prayer at a time.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Mathew 5:16

Talk To Me Tuesday - a little late....

Hickstionary's TTMT topic this week is:

What's a verse you are leaning on right now? (Could be an all time favorite but doesn't have to be.)

A verse that I am leaning on right now is Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

This has always been a hard one for me. I seem to need to understand why things happen the way they do; why people behave the way they do. That is probably why I studied psychology in college. I want to understand....and in my own life I have a need to plan, and control. So I lean on this verse reminding myself to place my trust in Him.

To the Rescue....

G. and I tend to be fairly last minute people. It usually works for us. I like to think that I plan further in advance than he does, but let's be honest....I'm a procrastinator. The one thing that doesn't work for me is when we decide....spontaneously....to attend a social gathering where I'm supposed to "bring something to share". Ughhh. I'm not a good cook.....I try-and sometimes succeed-but overall, cooking is not a strength of mine. And, there is enough of the perfectionist in me to want to bring something fabulous that other people will enjoy. So yesterday, when we decided to attend a New Year's Day BBQ, I scrambled around and found this deliciously simple recipe.

Ingredients:

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix

1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies (drained)

1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack or colby-jack cheese

Directions:

Prepare cornbread mix according to directions. Fold in green chilies and cheese. Cook according to mix directions.

*You can also use any cornbread recipe you usually use and just add in the green chilies and cheese.

Not only were they absolutely delicious, they took no time at all to make and didn't require a trip to the store. Perfect for anyone who makes spontaneous decisions...or procrastinates on deciding what to bring to a social gathering.

We had a wonderful time at our friend's BBQ. They actually buried an oven in the ground with all the BBQ meat in it and then dug it up! It was delicious. Party was complete with hayrides, a huge bonfire of Christmas trees, and firecrackers.

We finished up the evening at our house playing board games with some friends of ours. Perfect way to start the new year- good food, fun, and friends.

New Beginnings

Anyone who knows me knows that I. Hate. The. Rain. There aren't many things that I feel strongly enough to use the word "Hate", but rain is one of them. I'm always grateful that I live in Arizona where we have 296 days of sunshine each year, but sometimes I think that makes it even worse. I'm so used to the good days, that when it does rain, it's worse. It's not the rain so much as the gloomy, dark, damp, cold, and worst of all, the gray. I find myself feeling sad, lethargic, despondent, tired..............hopeless. I dread rain and everything that comes with it.

Today I'm reminded of the miracle that comes with the rain. Although it might seem to go on forever, eventually a light spears through the dark clouds, brilliant and beautiful.

Water falls, nourishing all of its surroundings and provides soothing song.

A soft, peaceful glow encompasses the land, breathtaking in it's beauty.

And every living thing is washed clean, fresh, nourished. Renewed.

Our lives follow this same pattern. We find ourselves in a dark place. Maybe something tragic has happened, or we have lost something or someone dear to us. Maybe we are struggling with something, or feel our prayers have been unanswered. Maybe we feel lost or like no one cares. Regardless of the reason, eventually the dark will end. His light can cut through the darkness, filling our lives with brilliance. His voice will surround us, nourish us, if we listen to Him. He will bring beauty and peace out of the pain, and provides us with joy..... with hope. He washes us clean, leaving us refreshed, and renewed................

If we let Him. If we seek Him instead of turning away from Him. If we embrace the dark times and depend on Him to lead us through it, instead of stumbling our way through on our own.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him." - James 1:12

God has a plan for us, for me. One that is perfect, even if I don't understand it. He will give me what I need to get through each day. I don't have to know how to get to next week, or next month, or next year. It is enough to get through today.

It is a new year, a new beginning. A time to be refreshed, to start over, to be renewed. A time to reflect, and take action.

"How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has given you?" - Joshua 18:3

I'm not waiting.......I will take possession of what the Lord has given me. I will embrace the rain.