christianity

Four Thoughts

Hey hey and happy Wednesday! Sadie is currently taking a nap and I have a pile of laundry sitting next to me, but I’d much rather blog. So here I am 🙂

Just sharing a few thoughts and snapshots from the past week or so!

1. Sarris Candy

Sarris Candy Canonsburg, PASarris Candy Chocolates

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but Jimmy and I live pretty close to a famous candy store called Sarris Candies. It’s fairly well known in America and I don’t know what it is, but their chocolate is some of the best I’ve ever had–it’s so smooth and creamy.

We decided to get out last night and take Sadie on her first trip to Sarris! The store has tons of candy, stuffed animals, and holiday displays. It’s safe to say that Sadie enjoyed all there was to see and mom and dad got stocked up on chocolate!

2. Bowling

Guys bowling with baby girlSisters hugging

Jimmy, Sadie, and I went bowling with our church over the weekend. I actually bowled better than I thought I would (I got a strike and a few spares!) and had fun catching up with family and friends. There’s just nothing like having fun with our church family!

3. Meal Prep

SandwichesEgg and hash brown casserole

Another thing I don’t think I’ve mentioned here on the blog is how I do meal prep for Jimmy’s breakfast and lunches! Basically, I have a rotation of breakfast recipes I make and freeze for him. I also make a week or two of sandwiches in advance and freeze them.

I used to make his lunches each night and he would have a bagel for breakfast, but we started getting a bit more streamlined around the time Sadie arrived and it has been making our lives so much easier! Would anyone be interested in a full post on my method and the recipes we like to use?!

4. Making friends with problems

I was recently reading a devotion about treating persistent problems as something God can fit into a pattern for good (Romans 8:28) if we love, trust, and walk with Him through them.

Basically, problems can become a stumbling block and cause self pity, or we can see them as something that is transforming us into the person God wants us to be. The key is that we get to choose to make friends with difficulty and even learn to thank God for it or react with anger and distrust. It really resonated with me so I thought I’d share!

Well, I better get going because Sadie just woke up! Looks like the laundry will have to wait until later 😉

Six Simple Ways I Center My Day On God

In a perfect world, I’d always keep my focus on God and stay connected and in tune with Him. Let’s be honest, though, life just isn’t perfect! I feel like it’s so easy to become disconnected from God in my everyday life if I don’t make a concentrated effort to center my day around Him.

Ways to center your day on God

I have days where I get busy and before I know it, it’s time for bed and I haven’t read my Bible or spent much time talking to God. I can tell you that those days are always tough and filled with anxiety. Yes, I have days where I center my thoughts and mind on the Lord and still have a rough day, but keeping the Lord at the forefront of my life makes all the difference.

I’ve worked on establishing a few daily habits that center my day on God that I want to share. I’m always looking for more, so let me know what you do!

1. Bible and journal first thing in the morning. Before I start my day, I love sitting on the couch or at the kitchen table with my Bible, journal, and a mug of coffee. This is my time to talk with God, read His word, thank Him, and focus for the day.

Starting out the day with my Bible and a pen in my hands instead of my phone has made such a difference in my life! I always finish my mug of coffee and scripture reading time with more clarity and peace than if I hadn’t picked up my Bible.

Coffee and Bible

2. Pray throughout the day. I make an effort to be in prayer throughout the day. If someone comes to mind, I pray for them. If a situation is bothering me, I try and pray about it and then leave it to God. If the news is on, or I have a conversation in the grocery store with someone, those people or situations are in my prayers.

We also have a prayer list from our church pinned up in our kitchen so we can pray for the various needs of the members of our church and their friends and families. Along with that, each night at dinner either Jimmy or I pray before our meal and thank God for getting us through the day and lay our requests before Him together. It sets the tone for our evening together and is really special to us.

3. Listen to Christian music and podcasts. If I have my phone with me while I’m dog walking, cleaning the house, etc., I usually listen to a podcast sermon. If I’m driving, I turn the radio onto the local Christian music station and jam out.

Phone

4. Keep my Bible in front of me. My Bible is pretty much always sitting on our kitchen table. Since I work from home and pet sit, I’m generally able to eat lunch at home. I always try to pop my Bible open and study it while I eat. It definitely beats scrolling on social media and leaves me feeling refreshed and replenished at lunchtime.

5. Read Christian books. This one can be tricky because the book I want to be reading and spending the most time in is my Bible! With that said, supplemental devotional books or even Christian fiction are great options for leisure reading.

Reading book by water

6. Use my phone wisely. If I’m on my phone, I try to spend more time in apps like YouVersion and Bible Lens instead of checking my email or opening social media. If I am on social media, sometimes I’ll post scripture on Instagram or Facebook.

Another way I try to use my phone more wisely is to connect with others! There’s just something about texting a church friend or family member and giving or receiving encouragement that just makes all the difference in my day.

How do you center your day on God?