Monday, January 09, 2006

This cheerful little snowman is how I started out feeling this morning as I zipped back and forth, taking down the two Christmas trees. After boxing the ornaments and sweeping up the needles and waiting for the hardwood floor to dry out where we spilled the tree stand water....well...I'm really tired. The twinkle in my eye is not even a faint memory, well, perhaps a very dim memory. But, hey, I got a lot done...the sun even came out and showed me the layer of dust here and there. Thank you very much *smile*. (I'd rather pass on heavy duty dusting today). I was thinking about patterns...habits if you will. All through Christmas I was feeling good, eating carrots with my favorite ranch salad dressing as a dip...no baking. AND THEN, one winter holiday evening...my sister gave my husband 3 cans of nuts. Mixed nuts sprinkled with yummy salt..almonds, and cashews. Oooh they were sooo good. And somewhere around that time, I began to crave gumdrops, my very favorite candy. And consequently...around that time, I began to find my clothes fit a little snugly. Boo Hoo. AND, that made me think of habits. I most often do not even realize that I have changed until weeks later when changes are making a different me. I have heard it said, if you read the same chapter of the Bible 30 days, it will change your life. (Not the genealogy ones of course) Or...exercise for 30 days consistently. At first its an effort, but after a while, have you ever noticed that you just automatically do whatever it is you are doing. Good or bad? Eating the wrong type of foods...or staying up too late at night? Neglecting your prayer life perhaps? Or, it can go the other way, consistent habits of doing things right. A laundry schedule..right on time...healthy eating....exercise 3 times a week. There is much to be said for the virtuous woman. A satisfaction and yes, a peace that we have when we 'turn' ourselves to the required duties. A dignity, a self that is pleasing God and a part of us that must needs be ruled for our own good and if we choose, a sweet yielding to God's ways over our own way. I thought of the verse..."All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. He invites each of us to come and be saved. Habits and choices are important steppping stones in our life,and can help us or they can wreak havoc with our day and our health..physical and spiritual. The most important choice I ever made was the one where I received the Lord Jesus Christ as my own personal Saviour. I'm so thankful that I made that important decision...I wondor, have you? I hope so. And...in the meantime, I think I'll cut back on the gumdrops...for now *smile*. Posted by Picasa

5 comments:

Peggy said...

I am trying so hard this year to have only good habits but I am human and I know I will make lots of mistakes am glad I have a forgiving God. Hugs Maggie and hope you have a nice rest and cup of tea before bed.

HomemakerAng said...

oh my maggie ann, this is a wonderful post! it all creeps up on it doesnt it, the good and the bad? I love it when I have done good and it creeps up on me, but when I have done not so good, it hurts!!!! thanks for the reminder and the encouragement, and btw, gumdrops are a favorite of minen also
homemakerang

Ruth said...

hi maggie ann ~ thank you so much for your comments on my blogs!! you always give such encouragement - my spirit was lifted today! thank you for that! =)

Finn said...

Hello Miss Maggie, just dropping in as I head off to bed. It's been a long, long day and after trying to deal with presc. drug programs, "On Tne Banks of Plum Creek" sound pretty good to me. Love the snowman lunch pail and your wise thought on life. Sweet dreams my friend..*VBS*

sparrow's song said...

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way;

This brings to mind this verse.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.


Death? Death of a dream. Death of a goal. Death of peace. Death of health. Death of...

When we choose to do it our way in making wrong choices we spiral toward wrong habits and eventually unhappy endings, away from His ways which are peace and life.