A few afternoons ago, I was minding my own business, browsing my Facebook news feed while sitting on the sofa in my ripped-up yoga pants, stained t-shirt… Should I mention the sleeping bra? Anyway, I wasn’t hurting a fly as far as I knew and then I read the title for an intriguing link.
What I Wore Wednesday – Getting Dressed After Getting The Hairy Eyeball by Stef over at Educating Layton.
Hairy Eyeball? This, I had to see. So, I clicked it and that was my mistake… or maybe, it was my wake-up call.
The Double Standard
I get up in the morning running. With four children, a husband, a homeschool, and several websites to manage, as well as the social media that goes with it, there is a lot to fit into my day. I often skip getting dressed for the sake of saving time, and why get dressed anyway when I do not buy clothes for myself and all of my “home” clothes are yoga pants and t-shirts? Worse yet, I might even skip meals or eat them on my feet.
What kind of example is that to my children? How can I expect them to care for me when I do not care for myself? What must they think about the double standard I present? I preach at them about walking around with food or standing while they eat at the table while I stand at the counter, scarfing down lunch. I tell them how important it is to exercise while I do not exercise myself. I make them clean their rooms while my room looks like a storage shed.
It’s like screaming, “Do as I say, not as I do!”
Misplaced Priorities
Something else stirred in my heart as a result of reading Stef’s article. My priorities are messed up. You could just hang a big sign across my behind: Out of Order.
I rarely take time to read my Bible in the morning. I personally believe that causes a chain reaction throughout my day.
There are mornings when I try to make our Circle Time into my personal devotional. While I am certainly blessed by doing Bible study and worship with my children, I am trying to pour into them from an empty cup.
And, if I am going to confess my lack of priorities, I have to also mention my time on the sofa… laptop at hand…
The Lazy Side of Me
All of the things I do each day are important but sometimes, I must confess, I spend more time of the sofa with the laptop than is absolutely necessary. Or, I might waste the time that I have available to work on my websites by goofing around the internet.
Now, is it wrong to take a break? Absolutely not. But, when the break stretches into an hour or two or three and I fail to meet the basic needs of my household like doing the dishes daily, then I have a problem.
Proverbs 18:9 “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great waster.”
A great waster of time. That’s me.
How a Hairy Eyeball Changed My Life
I thought about titling this post “How a Hairy Eyeball Changed My Life” but it was really Stef Layton who impacted me. I am thankful that she was so transparent and shared from her heart. I am sure she didn’t target me or anyone in particular with her post but it really helped me to see the bad example I was giving my children.
Stef’s article did more than shake up my day, it has changed my week… perhaps my life… perhaps even the lives of my children.
Clara says
“I rarely take time to read my Bible in the morning. I personally believe that causes a chain reaction throughout my day. There are mornings when I try to make our Circle Time into my personal devotional. ”
This morning I was just thinking about this same thing. I used to listed to Joyce Meyer almost every day. I read my Bible every day because I had a goal to read the entire Bible for once in my life. (I completed that goal.) However, I have lacked in doing both of these things and only read the Bible now during our Bible Study. (I will be writing an article about “Bible Study” as it has weighed heavily on my mind.)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts because I know that I too, have misplaced my priorities. Each day that I began with God first, were the days that seemed more peaceful.
Clara says
“listen” not “listed” LOL!
Penny says
I will be looking forward to that post, Clara.
I am glad to know that I am not alone. It is so easy to get distracted one morning and next thing you know, it’s a pattern.
Amber says
Wow, did you climb in my head and pull those thoughts right out of my head? I too have been feeling the same way. I always plan to get up and spend time with God before I do anything else but that doesn’t happen often. I get up later than I should then try to make our day a good and progressive one. But starting the day on my terms and not His, just won’t work well.
Thank you for this post. I needed another push!
Have a great week!
Penny says
Thanks, Amber, for letting me know that I am not alone. We can blame Stef for all of this! LOL
Stef Layton says
oh my goodness – tears woman! How great God is to show us not only where we might be sinning, but use that for others to grow too! That is all I ask He do for all my posts. THANK YOU for sharing!
Believe me – I wasn’t targeting you but my own sin. And ever so grateful for the affirmation of posting what I did when so many times I wanted to take it down!
Praying for you – praising Him – as we break up the laziness in our lives !!