A friend gave me some great advice awhile back concerning exercise. She said the problem with your thinking is if you do not get to go to the gym and spend 45 minutes of cardio and 30 minutes on weights you don’t do anything at all. “Oh well I am not going to be able to exercise today.” The right attitude is every 15 minute walk around the neighborhood, every trek to the mail box, every extra climb up the stairs counts! Doing a little bit everyday will give more results than 1 hour once or twice a week. When you get the hour GREAT, but when you only get the 15 minutes that is better than not exercising at all! The most important thing is the lifestyle change of movement when and where you can get it.
The same is also true with cleaning. I only have 15 minutes before I have to get the kids, but I can clean a toilet, a sink, a mirror, and sweep a floor in 15 minutes. (Time yourself. You will be amazed what you can do in that time.)
It is also true with our spouses. We as women know it is the little gifts on a consistent basis that is the most important. Everyone remembers your birthday and anniversary, but the small bouquet of flowers (or for me the Reese’s cup he thought to pick up for me 🙂 ) “Just Because” means more than the expensive weekend away for our anniversary. It shows that I am on his mind “just because” he loves me.
The same is also true with our relationship with God. As Tracy reminded me today. It is not always the amount of time we spend with God, or when or how, but that every day we find time. It may be 15 minutes of “Lord I thank you for this day” today and an hour of worship and intense bible study tomorrow. God, and quiet time, are not a check to mark off your list, instead He is a breathing relationship. As moms we get so busy. I do my best to get up and spend time with God early in the morning. But there are some mornings I hit the alarm one to many times. Here recently I have fallen asleep on the couch with my coffee and bible in hand. But time with God is not about the planned date everyday, sometimes it is the 15 minute “phone call” while you are sitting in the car pool line just to say “hey, I love you”. You can even talk to him when you are squeezing in that 15 minute walk! 🙂
Just remember relationship, like life, is living, breathing, and ever changing. So cultivate where you can get it!
Whoa! You had no idea how I needed to read this today! I’m glad that I stumbled upon your blog! :o)
That is so true. Thanks a lot.
Good stuff Angel!!!
What a blessing to have found your blog. I’ve been heading the wrong way lately and full of angst. Thank you for reminding me where I need to go and who I need to spend more time with.
This was some good stuff. I needed this. I am off to go spend 15 minutes doing something productive while my kids have book time! Thanks!