Proverbs for Daily Life

1.     What will you do in the coming week to be more like Jesus in one of these areas?

I am playing with the idea of attempting to greet everyone the way Jesus would. I want to shift my thinking from “nobody bothers to greet me” to “then I’ll be the first one to greet you.” Perhaps I can be a bright point in their day and if I am not, maybe I can inquire after their grumpitudenosity and then send up a prayer on their behalf.

Not to get too far ahead of myself, I’ll just start with the casual greeting. That is enough of a project for me to begin with. And ultimately, it really is to make the greeting about the other person. Turn it all away from me.

2.    Use the simple process on page 206 as a guideline to begin establishing a rule of life.

Here is an example where I should really print the list out and stick it on my arm. HEY! My first tattoo. It’s pretty much the list that I tackled yesterday. How would Jesus wake up? How would Jesus eat? How would Jesus watch TV? 

I woke up with Jesus today. Rather, I immediately began talking to God and asking Him for surprises today. Something beautiful. And asking Him for forgiveness for my less than stellar behavior. And then I ran with Him. I tried to make it a prayer. I was upset because the last song I ran too was a slow song. I begged Him to change it, but then the words began and it was about forgiveness. So I received His forgiveness.

And now I’m writing with Him in mind … how long can I go before I get sidetracked?

3.    Of all the activities listed on page 206, which one do you find the most difficult to do in Jesus’ name?

I could be wrong. I could be naïve. But I really think that it is doing household tasks where I fail. I don’t like to do them. They put me in a foul mood. They take time away from what I really want to be doing. The reward for completing them … well there really isn’t one. The sense of accomplishment is fleeting and the tasks begin again tomorrow. Rush, rush, rush. I guess Jesus’ name just flies right out of my head.

4.    What practical steps can you take (even if you don’t feel like it) to more reflect the heart of Christ in this activity?

I can at least appreciate the fact that the person who came up with these questions acknowledges that I might not feel like it. I don’t feel like it. Maybe that’s why I’m stuck here with nothing better to do that address the issue. Part time work to make me available to do the tasks that will keep me in my place.

I am now thinking that the best start would be to take it one little step at a time. One room at a time. One task at a time. One meal at a time. One errand at a time. I cannot become overwhelmed. I know the outcome of when I am overwhelmed. I shut down. I am paralyzed and then I do nothing. 

And maybe I can make a list of those tasks that need to be done. Write them on the dry erase board daily. And not be required to complete them all, but if I could just erase a few, I would have mini senses of accomplishment. The ones that don’t get erased can stay for tomorrow.

I might notice a trend of what I always fail to complete. Then I could tackle it in a new or different way. Or place it at the top of the list. Or make it mandatory. Or offer a reward upon completion ...

Ask God to help me with that list. Ask Him to be with me when I create it. Have Him join me in my work. Turn on my lovely stereo and rock OUT!

She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
Proverbs 31:13,15,19 (ESV)