Little things add up

Every day I walk in my neighborhood I take my trash grabber with me and a bag for collecting trash while I walk. It is amazing how much trash there is floating around on a daily basis. The worst days are when it is windy on trash pickup day. Things blow all around.

Here and there, it all adds up. These all can be labeled in different ways:
Cigarette butts
Little alcohol bottles
Fast food trash
Yard trash
Tools
Masks
Gloves
Candy wrappers

Every day I walk around the neighborhood I come back with a plastic grocery bag full of trash. And it is a result of a variety of contributions from the neighborhood and as well as the people who drive through it.

And it makes me think about the daily things in my own life. I have my own bad habits, good habits, dangerous habits, healthy habits, careless habits, caring habits, mindful habits, and mindless habits….

As I gather up the collection of things in the neighborhood “on the daily” or “on the weekly” it is a bit of a reflection of what I am doing with my own life. Am I being intentional about cleaning up some of those bad habits? Have I become so accustomed to them that I don’t even see them anymore? I bet the people in my life notice them even if I don’t. And I have some little eyes and ears around every week who see and hear my reaction to things. I don’t want those little ones to catch bad habits from me.

As you think about your daily habits, be encouraged by your healthy ones. And consider working on one of the unhealthy ones. We all have some of both. But, if you find a habit that is blocking your progress in another area of your life, it might be time to make a change.

Establishing a new pattern can help bust an old habit. God knows how we are, but He also desires us to be moving towards healthier choices and better ways of communicating. If you take an honest assessment of how you are doing and offer it to God, He will surely equip you with resources to overcome those areas where you need a little help. He absolutely loves you just as you are. And He wants to be with you as you grow in love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness!

Following instructions

I will admit that I don’t follow instructions all that well. I don’t like to read directions. And of you tell me something, you might as well also write it down because I likely won’t remember the fine details. But, since I know this about myself, I extend the same courtesy to others that I would like.

You can tell me but also write it down. And then check in if you want to make sure I am on it. I am not offended if you do!

Given this is how I operate, it is no surprise to me that my Creator gets me! God covers all of the learning styles in His Word. He knows we often need to hear and see things — and we need reminders.

What is a Bible verse you have committed to memory because you need the reminder for yourself? I would love to see it!

When we hide God’s Word in our heart, we are following His instructions. That doesn’t mean we will do everything perfectly, but we have a better chance of making better choices when we have God’s Word influencing our day!

Clear vision

This week I will have surgery to address the cataract in my right eye. While I have cataracts in both eyes, only the right one is a problem at this time.

Have you ever noticed your vision or perspective change slowly over time? I rarely do. But, when things get to a point when it really feels different then I seem to realize that something has been happening, over time.

It’s kind of like the frog in the kettle. You don’t really notice where you are — maybe you are lulled into complacency — until it is (almost) too late.

Of course, I don’t feel like I am too late dealing with this cataract. And, by the end of the year my left eye might need to be done, too. That would be convenient, “deductibly” speaking.

But, if we are speaking about the way of the world and the destructive rabbit trails and worldly views that can subtly and quickly surround us, now that can really cause some issues.

How do we stand guard and protect or ensure God’s perspective is coming through?

By walking close to God.

Surrounding ourselves with Scripture is a big help. Regular communication with God — even if it is lamenting 😊– just keeping that door open is also important. Attending church services or Bible studies — and having Faith- filled friends and family are all ways to ensure — or at least help — your spiritual eyes to be aware and in synch with God.

And, sometimes, you might need to go “under the knife” to address the issue.

God is there, too!

Little Steps and Big Goals

Do you know how how many steps it takes to get to the big goal? A lot. In fact, if you stop to think about it for too long, it might discourage you. But, that might be because your big goal is taking center stage.

I am all about having a goal and going after it, but I think it is really important to consider what we do each day towards that goal. The little steps add up and they matter.

But why?

They establish a habit and a habit establishes a rhythm.

And with a rhythm there is momentum. I find that even if I skip a beat, the overall movement is there and easy to step back into it.

I like a big chunk of focused time for projects and there is definitely a time for that approach. But I have come to understand that my daily habits set my path more than I realized.

Are your little steps — or daily habits — nurturing your physical health or taking away from it?

Are they building up your relationships or tearing them down?

Are they deepening your connection with God or taking away from it?

Instead of being overwhelmed by a big goal and how you might not be achieving it, think about one step you can take today towards that goal today.

If you head that direction step-by-step, you will eventually find you are there! Don’t dismiss those “little” steps!

Lord, help me to be mindful of my little steps and where they are pointing my feet for this journey. Guide me as I decide my path. And when I stumble, because I surely will, steady me in your Word and way!

Stretching

These days I can tell if I have not take the time to do a little stretching. My body feels stiff and I am not quite as nimble as I would like to be.

My spiritual life is like that, too!

If I don’t keep up with my regular routine of prayer and intercession or digging into God’s Word, I can feel it in my soul — I feel a little off and out of sorts. And I am surely more inflexible and less Kingdom minded.

But it is so easy to get out of my good routines and habits. A change in location often throws me off.

Stretching is important. My body and mind need it every day. But my spirit needs it more than anything. A few stretches here and there help me to be open and my reflexes are more controlled. I am more able to respond and not react.

How do you spiritually stretch?

Routines

When I am home, I have a few routines. Nothing fancy; they mostly involve how my morning starts and how my day ends. But when I am traveling, most routines are out the window.

Are there special ways you start and end your day?

Routines give birth to habits and can be great. Or not. Do I routinely criticize how someone does something? Do I regularly complain about every little thing? Do I have a tendency to give a harsh response to simple questions?

Have I developed some bad habits that I need to get rid of?

Disrupting routines helps me fall out of habits–both good ones and bad ones. But when I get back to regular life, I find that I easily return to the worn path. Those “ruts in the road” are hard to deny so I need to choose my ruts carefully because those will be the very things that pull at me as I am cruising through life.

When I switch up my routine, it helps reveal my habits. And when I find habits that need to change, it’s best to tackle that head on. First, I pray for the strength to go against my sinful nature. There will be numerous times to practice in any given day! Then I might find a friend and tell them what I am hoping to change. Verbalizing my intentions helps me stay the course because I have spoken them to another human and I really don’t want to report back that I have failed. That is because I have a tendency to be an “obliger” read more about the Four Tendencies here…

I have choices on how I can respond. Unfortunately, when I find myself in a “negative” situation I don’t always choose well and sometimes I try to justify my ugly response. But, with God’s help, a little practice, and outside accountability I can choose the better way.

On the Road,

Liz

(You’re a) hard habit to break!

Bad habits are tough to get out of. Good habits are easy to drop.

Ever find yourself battling the same ol’ same old? There are some habits that are relatively easy to change but there are others that hang on for far too long. I have fallen in and out of habits with unfortunate ease. I fall into bad ones and I fall out of good ones.

Last summer I accepted a challenge to give up diet coke for a week. I figured I could handle a week without my favorite beverage, but after a week I decided to give it up permanently. I have had diet coke on occasion since then but prior to the “challenge” I had one a day, every day. In the scheme of habits, it wasn’t the worst one to have but I figured it was something I could live without.

Here I am, approximately a year later and while I like still diet coke quite a bit, I can take or leave it and I mostly leave it alone. I was surprised at the ease that I was able to surrender this ‘vice’. And I wondered, what was it about this situation that made losing this habit relatively pain-free? And why aren’t all bad habits as easy to drop?

Conversely, why is it that good habits don’t stick like I wish they would? I have heard that 66 days of doing something will turn it into a habit. It didn’t take 66 days for me to be satisfied without my ‘beverage of choice’ so I am not sure I completely buy into that.

At any rate, you might, like me, have several habits you would like to add or drop in your life. It is so easy to come up with a long list of improvements. But just tackle ONE for seven days and get on your way. And next week you can celebrate a week of accomplishment.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3

Happy Habit Forming! Pick a good one!

Liz

Roadside Cleanup

Have you ever participated in a roadside clean up only to drive by a week later and see it as trashy as it was before you labored to pick up the trash? It is so frustrating!

Sometimes, that’s just like my life. I make an honest and determined effort to ‘clean up’ an area in my life but those old habits creep right back in and soon things are messy again. A funny thing…when it’s my mess, I have a hard time asking for or receiving help in order to get the mess clean. Somehow I think I should be old enough and experienced enough or “godly” enough to not ever have to ask for assistance. Ever find that true for you?

Thankfully, God has placed wonderful people in my life who “lovingly assist” when needed. Sometimes it is simply a word of encouragement or a listening ear. Other times they roll up their sleeves and take on a task on my behalf. I am so thankful that God has patience for me. As I recall the many instances of His grace and mercy for me it is actually becomes a joy to extend it to others. May you be blessed as you work together with other believers to share God’s grace, forgiveness, and peace!

Heavenly Father, Help me to graciously accept assistance in areas of my need and a have a willingness to extend myself in Your name for others. Give me Your eyes to see the needs of others and Your guidance as to the level of my involvement. In Your Son’s Name, Amen.