Today has been a bit ironic. I am up at 5 as always, enjoying the morning with a tea and devotions with my Father. The Lord led me to a John F Macarthur study on The Art of Self-Discipline, a sermon based on both practical and spiritual lessons on the biblical need to be self-disciplined in order to attain spiritual growth. Well, this is an area where I am in need of a few motivating tips and pointers, especially after learning how the Lord sees self-discipline.
So, after tea with the Lord I set off on my chores and decided I would deny my flesh of any entertainment before my list was completed. This included dishes, laundry, vacuuming, dusting and cleaning the house of Bella’s unscrupulous amounts of hair.
Well, I did it! 730 and I am resting comfortable, sans sweats, as I worked up one of my own, patiently awaiting the buzz of the first load of laundry so I can switch it over to the dryer. I am now ready for my coffee and a social media scan that may keep me occupied for 30 minutes.
Buttt…as I was brushing my teeth prior to this blog, my eye caught sight of how scummy the sink was. Grabbing a cloth in my other hand I washed and wiped down the area. As I was multi tasking my teeth and the sink I pondered how it is easier to do a chore at the same time as a necessity. My thought line took this path, “Well, if i have to stand at the sink and brush my teeth I may as well kill a chore such as a wiping down the sink, organizing random items around the house or sorting dirty laundry” (yes all these have been multi tasked). Mid-sink-wipe my mind flashed back to a tv program that taught the same idea but with simple exercises that women could do while cleaning their home, such as lunges while vacuuming, squats at the sink or attempting a plie between bed making. Hmmm…so realizing the need my thighs have had lately for a good plie I put down the rag, kept the teeth brushing going and started my ballet routine at the sink. Well after 3 dips my teeth were clean, and breath fresh so I stopped. Standing up straight and putting my brush away I was hit with a thought. After all my work this morning at being self-disciplined I had blown it. I was left without plaque but with a half wiped sink and partial plies that did not make me feel the burn. I had too quickly jumped from one idea to the next, leaving my task unfinished for no reason at all as those squats did nothing in such a short time.
I am quick to jump and change my actions on impulse leaving behind me a wake of unfinished events, which I learned today is not a healthy habit. I am ready to perfect this art and try to keep my busy mind on each task long enough to complete it with excellence for my Lord, even if it is only squatting at the sink. Do ALL things to the glory of God Virtuous Warriors!
Beth