April 19, 2013 - New Vs. Routine

Praise God it's Friday and our ground is being watered from above so I DON'T HAVE TO WATER FROM BELOW. Now perhaps you enjoy watering the yard as the mosquitos "sing" their songs and nibble on your legs, I do not! I have often wondered how such horrible, pesty little guys can hum as they do. Have you ever wondered what they hum? (to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb".........I will bite on Kathy's leg, Kathy's leg, Kathy's leg. I will bite on Kathy's leg until I'm satisfied.) UGH! So anyway, grateful for the water. (wink) Closing out our week of NEW, let's consider the phrase routine as part of our healthy journey as it sits on the opposite side of NEW. Yesterday we spoke of habit vs. intentionality as it related to God's mercy each morning. Today, let's consider that some habits have their benefits but when they lack intentionality, they can become boring and dreadful. Let's open this up. I have a daily routine of taking my vitamins, but if I don't do the "routine thing," they will sit on the counter. I have a habit of drinking 8-12 cups of water everyday. If I don't, my feet resemble the trunks of elephants. I have a habit of reading the Bible every morning. If I don't, I might think life is about me and forget that "Kathy makes a plan, but God orders her steps." You have routines? I really need the daily journey of my habits, but if I am not careful with them I will become bored and hit the delete button. My daily water intake goes from plain to Stevia-flavored water, to unsweet, decaf tea, to water with fruit slices floating. Why? Because I know me. Reading my Bible happens in different translations, and daily devotionals and Daily Audio Bible readings. Why? Because I know me. Varying the ingredients in my salad is a daily habit. Why? Because I KNOW me. Those are not bad things, just my way of making certain I "get her done." How about you? How do you approach the routine of life? But God knows me better than I will ever KNOW myself, as He does you. The water He created as part of our daily routine makes our cells smile. The Bible He wrote as part of our daily routine makes our souls smile. The life HE GIVES us daily, with all of its routines, allows us to smile as we see His plan inside the routines. What a great God! God's Word tells me that He never changes and yet I am never bored. His love and faithfulness is dependable and steady, like a routine or a habit, and yet I never tire of accepting it. But within the routine of this daily journey, God's expression of love that we see daily in the sunrise and sunset, in the color of the flowers as they bloom, in the storms that come and GO does change. So, I guess we will end the week saying thank you, Father, for the routines that you establish and the intentional diversity of change you display to remind us YOU ARE GOD AND WE ARE YOUR FAVORITE CHILDREN! And THAT makes me smile. :) Enjoy the multitude of God expressions designed to confirm His love for you and remember, stick with the routines but vary the ingredients. God makes all things NEW. PK