herbalscents

This week, I tried adding an exercise schedule to my routine. It didn’t add well…we (whole family) went for a bike ride on Tuesday, but that was all the exercise I got for the week. Not exactly a workout at least 3x a week.
Rachael’s lesson in self-discipline has nothing to do with Polished Cornerstones. We started potty training on Thursday. She’s not quite understanding what I want her to do. But, we’ll get it eventually.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:11-13

For this week, I worked on my routines, getting one set up and in place.  Rachael took very quickly to her new morning routine.  She reminds me when I forget.  I also wrote a short piece on how a lack of self-control relates to sin.

“Whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind – that thing is sin to you”
Susanna Wesley

Mary looks up the TV, controller in hand, wondering what in the world happened to her day.  Fred, sits down to play video games, and though intending just to play for an hour or two, continues to play for hour and hours on end.  Susan devours novels one after the other, and spends her time wondering what happens next.  Victoria is having a bad day and manages to clean out her entire pantry of all snacks.  Tim sits down at the computer to read the news and check his email and then wanders to more “interesting” sites.  While none of these people started out doing something wrong, they all managed to reach the same destination – sin.  Sin, is defined as willful rebellion against God.

It is in our very natures to rebel against God.   As sinners, we can easily take an entirely innocuous object, and give ourselves over to it, we make it an idol, and that action is sin.  There are things that while are not sinful in and of themselves, when used without self-control, they become sin.   A television, video game console, book or computer is not a sinful object, it is merely an object.  However, when that object starts to take over a person’s life, it becomes sinful.   While a thing may not be sinful, when we begin to love that thing, it can cause us to fall into sin.  We need to remember that it is not to this world to which we should cling.   “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:16

The key is in the person.  That person must exercise self-control in every aspect of their lives.  However, we must also remember that we are not alone.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and to help us grow in holiness.  In that growth, we will start to develop the fruits of the spirit.  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  Galatians 5:22-23a   This is what we as Christians must strive to obtain as we grow in holiness, becoming more like Christ.

Morning Routine – Summer

6:00    Breakfast

Empty Dishwasher
Empty Dishdrainer – if needed
Clean Up Breakfast
Get Ready for the Day
get dressed
brush teeth
brush hair
wash face
Make Bed
Collect and  Sort Laundry
Start Laundry

7:30    Hang Laundry

Outside Time

9:00    Daily Room Chores
9:30    Rachael’s Nap

Bible Study

11:00  15 min declutter
11:30    Lunch

Family Bible Time

12:30    Put Away Lunch

Defrost Dinner
Story Time

1:30    Rachael’s Nap

Daily Room Chores

3:30    Wake up Rachael – if needed

Snack Time
Playtime

4:00    Collect Dry Laundry

Fold Laundry
Bryan gets home

5:00    Playtime

Bryan Kung Fu

7:30    Dinner
8:00    Rachael Read for Bed

bath, brush teeth, brush hair, jammies, story, prayers

8:30    Rachael Bedtime

Clean Up Dinner
Start Dishwasher
Wash Dishes
Wipe Down Counters
Wipe Down Stove
Sweep
Shine Sink
15 min declutter
Empty Dishdrainer – if dry

9:30    Get Ready for Bed
9:55    Lock Up House

Open Dishwasher

10:00    Bedtime

When I say daily room chores, I clean a different room and do laundry depending on the day of the week.
Monday

chores: kitchen
laundry: dish towels, lights

Tuesday

chores: bathrooms
laundry: towels, darks

Wednesday

chores: bedrooms
laundry: bedding, whites

Thursday

chores: livingroom, studyroom
laundry: pants, rags

Friday

chores: entryway, laundry room, errands
laundry: anything needed over weekend

So, that’s my new routine, it seemed to work last week, hopefully I can keep it going.  The biggest problem I’ve encountered is Rachael doesn’t always believe me its naptime when I say it is.