Habits
Stop –
I want you to find a few minutes today to stop…. Look back over the past few days.
Do you see how much of your life is routine? Whether you intended or not, you and I have established habits that shape what we do, what we accomplish, how we live our lives.
Some of these habits have helped move us forward and some of them have left us stuck in a quicksand of sameness.
I realize that we are living in strange times with this pandemic, but I also believe it can be a terrific time to examine our life path and begin making some changes, creating new habits.
As I look back on these past couple of months, I see where Leigh Anne and I have a made a few adjustments to our morning routine that has helped us both relationally and spiritually.
For over 33 years of marriage, once our feet hit the floor to start a new day, we each went in different directions in the house, barely speaking to one another other than the obligatory, goodbye as one of us headed out the door.
Over these past four months, rather than grabbing my cup of coffee and heading straight to my study, she and I lace up our Hokas and take off on a 30-40 minute walk. We then come back and have breakfast together and then share a few minutes of bible reading and prayer. I know, you’re thinking all pastors did that with their wives…. Not this one. My morning was me, myself, and I tucked away in my office reading, studying, or writing.
So years from now when we look back on this pandemic time, Leigh Anne and I will note that it was a time of change, of creating new habits in our marriage.
But before I move on, let me confess that this new practice did all did not happen at once. As you might expect, Leigh Anne played a major role in creating this new morning routine. She’s the one who invited me to walk with her. And then one morning she asked me if I would like a fried egg. She wakes up hungry… I can go for hours without thinking about breakfast.
And then one morning after breakfast, I grabbed the bible and we started reading a 10-12 verses through the Gospel of John.
Much like Jesus’ mustard seed parable, what started small has grown into a wonderful new habit.
How about you?
What one habit will you change, stop or create?
If you’re like me, you can begin listing several habits you would like to tweak or start that will help you be in a better place physically, financially, or vocationally.
But for today, I would like for you to focus on one habit change that will either open you up to spiritual or relationship growth.
What will it be? What habit will you stop or what habit will you start that will grow you in your Christian journey or in one of your key relationships?
Write it down, share it with someone who will encourage you and also ask you every now and then how you are doing in keeping that new habit.
I would love to hear your new habit.
Direct message me or email me at mike@celebrationfamily.com.