Habits - Emily

Ok, I have to admit... I was not really looking forward to reading this chapter - I remember it being quite a doozy when I read through this book 2 years ago.

In some areas I have experienced progress and the Life that flows out of those choices; I've been getting up early this summer to be in the Word and exercise... but there are still days I'd much rather sleep, particularly if I'm up every couple hours of the night with kids. I do notice a huge difference in the days when I choose to sleep rather than get up and if I go a few days of sleeping in I feel like a train wreck. - but overall I feel like I've made good progress here recognizing and acting out this priority.

But the real kicker this week was what Mary shared about how the orderliness  of our home is a reflection of our inner life - OUCH!! (pg 73) Our house is a mess, most all the time. I am home pretty much all day every day so there is no good reason for this. Believe me I have a long list of justified reasons that our environment is the way that it is, but I know they are just excuses. I've really had to fight an overwhelming feeling of failure the last 48hrs. It's so overwhelming that I generally don't know where to begin and it can get real discouraging :-(  Praying for the Spirit's help and balance in this area!!

On pg 75 Mary talks about a Wise girls habits being self-sacrificing. I'm working on this area - being willing to do the things that will bless my family first (laundry, dishes, etc.) before I sit and cruise the internet or whatever. And I'm finding, at least in this season of life, there isn't much time left over for mindless self-indulgence and I don't really miss it. But as I am growing in this area I have to be real careful of not getting judgey and resentful towards others who haven't had this particular conviction yet or are in a different season of life with more 'free time' than I have.

It is refreshing to read that the battle for self-discipline is on-going and I remind myself that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit = so as I continue to lay myself down and seek to be filled with Him, He will help my to walk out the necessary habits of a life that honors Him.

This was a heavy one this week. Lord, I want what you want for my life. I know that a more organized and neat home will bless my family (and me) abundantly - please help me get there in a balanced yet purposeful manner. I need your help! Amen.