Discipline

In school, the kids have had to take their district checkpoints. This isn't wasted time for me because I take my seat at the front of the class and happily catch up on some reading. I picked up Elizabeth George's "A Woman's Walk with God: Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit." In the chapter devoted to self-control, there were some really insightful comments about the role that self-discipline should have in our life and the fact that it isn't possible to excel in any of the wonderful fruit that God has seeded in our life if we do not cultivate this last of the list. I admit that discipline is such a struggle for me, and I did not always used to be this way. I keep telling myself that there are just too many things that need to be done and that something has got to give, but this isn't true. If I have time to watch episodes of my favorite TV shows or check my facebook, then I have time to do the dishes and I certainly have time to spend with God in prayer. However, I find myself neglecting important God-given duties that will bless me and my family, in favor of laziness. It is so important that God is bringing this to my attention because this neglect will only worsen as time progresses if I don't take steps to make changes. So... praise the Lord for perfect timing... and district checkpoints.