In our culture, extremes often make it hard to tell what is right and what is not. Serving our own desires is highly promoted by worldly philosophy. So others tend to lean the other way and deny themselves of anything that pleases them (asceticism). How do you take care of yourself, yet follow the biblical guidelines to “esteem others better than yourself?” I can’t say I have the answer, but here are some things I have learned.
I have just recently fallen into a routine that allows me to take care of myself spiritually, physically and mentally in the mornings before I start off the day with my kids. For the last 7 years I have struggled in all of these areas. I’m the kind of person that really struggles to get out of bed extremely early. I would determine I was going to get up at 6 (or 5:30, or even 6:30), begin my workout or Bible study. My great plans were to have both of these finished before the kids got up at 8. (Well, that time has gradually backed up so the kids are up by 7 most days.) Anyway, I would keep up with my schedule for a week…if I was lucky, then it was back to my old schedule. Each time, I would beat myself up mentally for my lack of discipline. Now I’m not saying that I couldn’t have worked harder at disciplining myself to get out of bed, but there were just so many problems with my great schedule. My kids might wake up early; I would inevitably fall asleep while trying to have any quiet time; I had no motivation to jump out of bed and work out. What was/is the solution?
One thing is to keep toying with your schedule. Don’t insist on trying to meet a certain timeline if it is just not working. For some of you, it might be easier to stay up late. Some may have a chunk in the afternoon when kids are napping. You may be able to fit everything in a couple of mornings a week, and have to take an afternoon slot on other days.
This I will say, it IS important that you take time to pray and study. It won’t always be easy, and you might not accomplish it 7 days a week, but keep in mind that the goal is not the rigorous schedule. The goal is not to be able to check off “I did my Bible study every day this week” box. The goal is to learn more about Christ. To develop a closer relationship with Him. To put to memory verses that will help you in your daily living. To memorize verses that will help in Scripture training your children. So my encouragement to you today is to set aside even 15 minutes, take some time away from the kids and talk with the Lord. Let Him speak to you through His word. Serve your family today, by serving yourself.
I’ve got a couple more practical suggestions I’ll share tomorrow. Have you been able to work out a schedule that serves you? Or are you still trying to figure one out?
