This series is in response to the question:

So if you met yourself when your kids were as young as mine (4 and 1), what would you tell her?

If you haven’t read Part One in this series, click here.

Dear Kim,

This is going to be another tough one.  Not so much a tough one to hear, but a tough one to follow.

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness, for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)

You’re reading the books and listening to the speakers about how to discipline your kiddos, but how about how to discipline YOU?  And not just disciplining yourself to wake up early to go to the gym, or disciplining yourself not to eat that third cookie of the day, but disciplining yourself for the purpose of godliness.

OK. I hear you, older Kim, but what does that look like?

There are two places I want you to focus: (1) be diligent to study His Word and to pray faithfully each and every day and (2) keep a watch over your mouth.  I’ll save that second one for my next post, so for today, let’s look at how to be faithful in your relationship with your Heavenly Father.

Kim, I know that you’re worn out, that you don’t want me to add one more thing to your “to do” list.  But, Kim, it’s just not like that.  This is going to be time that fills you up, that gives you more energy.  It will give you the direction that you need, so you can spend the time you have investing in worthwhile pursuits.

Check out Terri Maxwell’s book “Sweet Journey” and go through it with a friend or a sister, or by yourself if you can’t find anyone and make a daily commitment to start your day with Jesus.  She’ll help you get started in how to spend time with the Lord every day.

It will be good for your children to be trained to wait for Mommy while you read and pray.  It will be time well spent.  Trust me.  Go to bed a little earlier and get up a little earlier.  Just like your children will be trained a little bit at a time, so will you, and you need to start now.  Don’t wait until they’re older to invest in your own time with the Lord.  Trust me.  (Why do I keep saying that?  I think it’s because I know how prideful I am and what a hard time I have taking direction from someone else.  Ouch.)

After you finish Mrs. Maxwell’s book, join a Bible study.  A real one.  Find a Precepts study (one day I know you’ll love them) or look up Community Bible Study.  Don’t be afraid.  I know some of those other ladies know more than you do, but you know what: That’s good!  You can learn from them.  Be transparent with them and tell them your needs.  Do the best you can on the homework and just keep going.

No one becomes an Olympic athlete over night and no one expects you to know the full counsel of God in a day, but you’ve got to start somewhere.  So, put aside your pride and all those time wasters and begin today to have a consistent time with your Savior, Redeemer, Father and Friend.  Trust me.  You won’t regret it.

TWIG

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