Where is the balance?

How do you balance life?

I know it is a process, but how do YOU balance life?

I have been working and trying to figure out how to do that forever.
Something that is really important to me is my relationship with God. I have tried to make that a priority the past two years. I hate to admit it, but when the kids were young I used them as an excuse to not have my conversations with my creator and friend. I didn't realize how far I had gotten in my relationship. Just like any relationship, when you don't talk with the other person, when you don't spend time with them you are going to feel distant when you see or talk with them again.

Well, two years ago I realized that I was not doing what I should to do my part in keeping my relationship with God prioritized as I should. I also was not doing good about working out then. So I had tried to start getting up to work out . So I made a pact with myself, if I was able to get up and workout, then I should be able to make the time for God. So if I worked out, then I made sure I had my quiet time.

Pretty soon I was doing my workouts for 30-40 minutes and then the kids would get up and I would have like 10 minutes of time with God (while tending to my children). Yeah, I don't have to explain that doesn't work. This summer I have been going through a bible study with a couple of other women about managing our lives. Through this I realized that yes, I was making time for God, but what kind of time was I making?

So, for the past few months I have been making sure that I have time with God and then the workouts. So now, it is the workouts that go by the wayside if I happen to wake up later or run out of time. Because of homeschooling I really like to start breakfast at 7:00am and school at 8:00. So, I have a time limit.

THE QUESTION IS:

How do you balance both?

Since I have not been able to workout as much, my physical feeling has been a lot worse. I get so much energy from making sure I have my workouts. It makes me feel better, it makes me have more discipline and self-control in regarding to what and how much I eat. BUT, I also have enjoyed making sure I have my time with God too. Both things that I have found I really need to do in the morning or else they don't get done.

What are your thoughts on this?

How do you handle this in YOUR life?

I would love to know!

Should I find anything out in my journey I will let you know.

A New Favorite and the Wisdom Wall

My new favorite book that has helped me out with train my kids is Parenting with Scripture by Kara Durbin. It is a great book that is divided by different topics and gives verses that go along, as well as, discussions for you and your children to have regarding the topics. Then it gives you an action to do to reinforce those values. Click this link to see an inside view of this wonderful book. We have been using this as a great bible time at the beginning of our school day. When I am instructing the kids it is a great reference to what God has to say about different issues that they are dealing with. And since I don't have the book with me at all teaching moments, I made my own wisdom wall that I can glance at whenever I need it. I can also have the kids come over and read a definition of what they have done and the the corresponding verse. Depending on what they have done they can copy it out for me. It has taken me seven years to figure out how to handle my scatterbrain self and with disciplining my kids (they even have to remind about their punishments sometimes, sad I know!)! Post notes everywhere!!! The verse I am working on James 1:19, "Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Is laminated and posted on my bathroom mirror. All the cards on the Wisdom Wall are laminated so that I won't have to do it again! 8-) They are taped so I can easily take them off to have a child right it out and then stick it back on the wall. Now, I didn't do all of the topics, just ones that they are working on right now...that seem to be a problem. As you can see, there are enough. I have had to use the wall from time to time for my attitude too! So, it has been a great reminder for me as to what God really wants me to do! Check out this book, it has been such a great resource for me. I just "stumbled" upon it, although I think Someone much bigger than me actually tripped my feet to find it! I hope this book encourages you, as it has me. Happy Parenting!