Habits

Habits, the railroad tracks our lives move along on, can be good or bad. Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our habits and decide which ones need changing. If you feel like your tracks are taking you off course, sit down and evaluate which one habit is the most detrimental to your overall well-being. There may be several things you want to change, but the reality is that we need to work on only one thing at a time if we want the change to last.


I have found that the easiest way to overcome a bad habit, is by instilling a new habit in it's place. When I'm working with someone on lifestyle changes, I often print off a blank calendar and have them initial each day after they have done the new thing (walked a mile, taken their multi-vitamin, etc.) Research has been done time and again showing it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit, so I plan on them tracking it for a whole month just to be on the safe side.


 If you're really trying to eliminate a bad habit, then do the new thing (or something beneficial) each time you're tempted to do the old thing. (You shouldn't take your multi-vitamin three times a day just because you're tempted to bite your nails 3 times, but you can take the other 2 times to drink a glass of water, or do some stretches.) For example: if you want to walk more, and eat fast food less... then each time you are tempted to hit the drive-thru, reach into your back seat and pull out a granola bar, then find a safe place to park & walk around your car (or the park) while you eat your granola bar. Instilling good habits does take some prep time. You can't expect your children to learn to brush their teeth regularly if they can't ever find the toothpaste past the mess in the bathroom-LOL!


So whether it's a new habit for yourself, or your children, think long and hard (but not so long you never start) about what one thing you want to get rid of, and what one thing you want to add, before you begin your journey. It is worth a month of your life to instill a new, beneficial habit, it will last you a lifetime!

Washed Clean

Last night we had strong storms move through central Indiana. The storm was violent, the lightening seemingly everywhere, the thunder loud, and the rain heavy. Just an hour south of here they received so much hail (4") that it closed the interstate and they had to bring in the snowplows to clear the road. 

That was last night. 

This morning everything is washed clean.

I awoke to the birds belting out some mighty songs. I suppose they are as grateful as I am to have survived another day. 

When I went out to get some farm-fresh eggs (yum!) I saw many trees blooming, flowers gently swaying, and people with smiling faces. 

All of creation is singing this morning. Thankfulness is welling up in my heart for having survived another storm.

Being washed clean is a great feeling. All of our filth is gone, there is promise for today and tomorrow. It is just like when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins. He takes us out of the storm (or through it) and gives us hope for today, and tomorrow. We have a new beginning, a fresh start. We can choose to make today the day when we follow in Christ's footsteps, when we love others and glorify the Father.


Perhaps you are in the midst of a storm today. Ask Jesus for help. He wants to guide you through. He longs to give you that assurance of being washed clean, having your sins forgiven, and having promise for the future. An eternal future that can begin today.

Grow your life, and your family, as you would tend your garden: grow with God & love.