Season of focused instruction...

After the Leadership Summit this year, I took a spiritual practices survey of my life. I was trying to dial into how to keep "the main thing" "the main thing" this next season with my God, my husband, my family, and my ministry team. My new assignment is going to affect my schedule and emotional reserves, stretch my intellectual capacity, and mess with my scope, margin and focus.

In the spirit of "you get what you train for", I decided to mix it up a little bit. I'm introducing some intentional routines in my daily life in an increased effort to seek solid footing and wisdom. I'm engaged in the world around me...on purpose. I don't want to lose touch. There is good to be found. Work to be done. Joy to be had. On the flip side, I don't want to be so absorbed I lose my compass. I'm fleeing the rut.

I thought I'd share my new training regimen with you. Some may ask "Why? It's supposed to be a personal act of worship." And, that's exactly why I won't share all the details; just some broad strokes. There are three reasons why I think it's appropriate to share.

1. I'm publicly acknowledging I'm not 'all that', I do need help and that, in my weakness He is strong.
2. I'm hoping to encourage others to "mix it up". Maybe by sharing my simple changes, it will spark ideas in others.
3. I'm inviting accountability. If you know I'm doing this, I'm less likely to drop the ball; more likely to follow through.

So, here's a few things I've committed to from now until January 1, 2009. I'm on week 2; 21 or so to go.

• Giving up one comfort. I'm fasting solid foods one day a week (and I love food). Instead of chowing down, I'm using this day to pray for my family, my leaders, my ministry team and the Church.
• Clearing some static.One day a week, I'm fasting all songs outside the praise and worship genre. That's never my first choice for a playlist, so I'm focusing one day a week to meditate on this streamlined lyrical category.
• Redeeming time. For this season, my schedule won't allow me to meet the kids off the bus 4 days a week. I'll miss that; so I'm replacing that lost time with a new family night once a week. I'm not going to put the fam on autopilot and this is my attempt at being proactive to stay connected.
• Getting my daily instructions. I'm beginning each day, kickin' it Christian old skool with Our Daily Bread, Early Light and Max Lucado devotionals. Before I even get out of bed, I grab the Zune on my bedside, sync wireless and put in the earbuds for the 1st word of the day. 
• Weekends are for Mark. I'm prioritizing down & date time for the weekends. It takes 1st place because the work week is gonna be pretty squirrelly. I won't put anything on the calendar without his permission first. If he's good...I'm good.

There's more, but that's the highlights. I'm curious to hear...how do you mix it up for a season of focused instruction?

Comments

[Michael Head]

Thanks for that I am loving the solid food fast. HOpe this continues to be a great focus for you.

[Kem Meyer]

Lori, I remember when Brian originally posted this. I thought to myself "that might come in handy one day" and it is. Thanks for sending the link over. It's going to be very helpful.

[Lori Bailey]

At the beginning of this year, Brian and I were talking about things we wanted to do, but never seemed to find the time to do them. We decided to drop some things (like our Blockbuster by Mail membership) and then created a weeknight schedule to be intentional about the things we wanted more of: reading, family time, personal projects, serving, etc. We've taken the summer off, but we're talking about starting again with the new school year.

Thought you might also enjoy an old post from Brian's blog about his writing season: http://www.leaveitbehind.com/home/2007/01/10_steps_to_wri.html