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Taking Time to Train – Lay Aside Every Weight

Habits & Routines

15 Aug

Dinnertime at my cousins’ house was fun, former procrastinators. When my uncle came home from work, he and my aunt relaxed in their chairs; he read the newspaper, she did needlework.  My cousins moved to the kitchen and completed the dinner preparations my aunt had begun earlier in the day.  When dinner was ready, the girls called the family to the table.

Once when a lady was visiting and observed what was going on, she made the comment, “You’re so lucky to have girls like this!”  My aunt responded, “Lucky nothing.  I worked hard to make these girls like this.”

My aunt had trained her daughters.  Her point was not that training was hard, but that training was required.  My cousins were not born eager to work in the kitchen.  However, routinely working alongside their mom, the girls learned to work independently and cheerfully.  The reward was good for parents and girls.  The reward lasted much longer than the training.

When we help our children learn to use routine to their advantage, we help establish excellent life skills.  It’s worth the investment of time and energy.  Persevere.  Habits I did not see take hold while one child was at home, I now see in the adult.  God is faithful.  He uses our small but consistent efforts.

When the children were young, we grocery shopped together.  Every week I explained how to select produce, how to compare prices and ingredients in the rest of the store.  We reached the point where we were able to split  up.  The older child handled the produce (which takes longer) while the younger one and I covered the rest of the store.  What a load lifter!  Later the younger one took over produce.  We must allow for mistakes, but I can’t recall a single poor decision by either child.  It certainly cut down on our shopping time.  And they learned important skills they still use.

Whether it’s how to read scripture and pray, make biscuits, or mow the lawn, it’s worth it to invest in training our children.  When it comes to routine, they learn a skill that carries over into every area of life.

What routine are you training your children to use?

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2 Comments

« Starting Routine – Lay Aside Every Weight
Building the Special into Routine – Lay Aside Every Weight »

Comments

  1. Lynn MILLER says

    August 15, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    Beth
    This is so familiar. My parents & my husband’s parents. We as parents included our kids in chores & part of our fur business. They both also involve their kids in chores. It’s a great legacy to have kids who have a work ethic as well as moral compass

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      August 16, 2021 at 5:32 pm

      You’re right, Lynn. A blessing through generations.

      Reply

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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