Bloom Where You Are Planted

Raise your hand if you have a bad memory. Keep it up if you don't have enough hours in the day. Don't worry, I raised mine too ... and kept it up. My husband jokes and says that movies I've seen are always new and exciting because I never remember what happens. Yup, this is so true. It can; however, be pretty frustrating when you are trying to prove your husband wrong and you forget your evidence (insert eye roll emoji). So, how do you add hours to the day? How do you train your mind to memorize scripture? My heart has been on a fast track to knowing God more deeply. I have a desire to pray more and memorize scripture. I have been praying about this for a while and decided to share with my mentor my thoughts and feelings about it all. She then shared with me ideas and totally do-able things to get started. I am so excited to share them with you today!

I want to share some words of truth and encouragement for a minute... I get it, time is the big "reason" you can't do what you "want" to do. I know that many of you are working wives (like myself) and moms, or even more chaotic (but total goals) stay-at-home mamas and that's not all - you're in a women's group or a small group, you serve in the children's ministry and you still have dishes to wash and laundry to fold. It can be difficult for you to use the restroom by yourself, let alone get enough time to pray, read and memorize scripture! All of those things are good things, even the laundry (praise God for clothes) but they are also all excuses. Your spiritual life depends on whether or not you're gardening it. If you aren't spending time in the Son, you won't ever grow. Can you imagine seeing someone you love (sacrificial type love) not blooming and growing? I'm quite certain you would feel sad for a number of reasons. You know Who else might feel that way? How can anything grow without being taken care of? It's not possible. You need to set aside time so that you can bloom and grow. Bottom line, you make time for what you want to make time for.

So, you've been desiring growth for a while but where do you start? Well, I am so glad you asked. It begins with these three characteristics right here: self-discipline, wisdom and commitment. Set your alarm to begin your day before the crazy starts. Have self-discipline to not hit the "snooze" button. Make it easy for yourself, use wisdom. Set your Bible or journal (and any other items you like to use) out where you plan on having your quiet time. Make it readily available so that you aren't searching for it all in the morning. This can be a real deterrent. Be committed. Commit to your time with God, to prayer, and memorizing scripture. Commit to being a woman of growth. Now, if only I can incorporate these into creating healthier habits ...

Will your mornings be perfect? No. Will there be days where you just cannot will yourself to getting up? Yes. Just don't make habits out of them. Allow yourself rest and give your family what they need but not at the expense of your relationship with Christ. He loves you more than you can fathom and He wants to spend time with you. Get in the Son so that you can bloom where you've been planted.