“Some Simple Steps for your Summer”

It’s almost here – that season called summer. Perhaps for you it is a time of fun and relaxation; perhaps it is a time of crazy and noise. Whatever it may be for you, I thought I would give you a few ideas for your summer. I believe that healing or progress is made in simple steps. If I focus too far ahead of me, I get discouraged and give up. Each day I just have to look for the one thing, the one step moved in the right direction instead of the wrong direction. You and I must celebrate these steps; otherwise, we live lives of constant dismay, doubt and depression. Just pick one or two of the ideas below. I promise that each step is a step in the right direction, a step towards Father God and the things on his mind. You are walking toward blessing and “life that is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:19). Just simple steps, friend, simple steps!

1. Buy The Message. It is a rich translation of the Bible and will be great for your devotionals. It is just another way to hear Father God speak to you his words of love!

2. Smile at your children. I mean – get down on the floor, sit right in front of them, maybe even hold their face in your hands and smile.

3. Celebrate. Something great for this that has helped our family is the “Marble in the Jar” activity. Anytime Maya, Ada or Carson does something right, helpful, caring, etc., we celebrate by putting a marble in a glass jar. When the jar is filled, we go out to a place of their choosing to celebrate! This activity has given us such a positive energy and focus!

4. Stop eating so many Cheetos and find your running shoes in the closet. But first, just take a walk. Remember, simple steps!

5. Go on a date with your husband and smile at him too. If you would like some ideas for conversation, check out the Tool – date.

6. Go to Target and spend $20 on yourself – bubble bath, a great pair of socks, a cool lipstick, a tank top in a color you would never buy yourself and something in the “dollar section.”

7. Journal. If you would like some ideas on how to get started, check out the Tool – breathe.

8. Play in the sprinkler with your kids! At least once, maybe twice!

9. Clean out the crazy under your bathroom sink. You might find several cool lipsticks there. There is something so cathartic about cleaning out a place that usually gets forgotten.

10. Get a focus beyond yourself and your family and begin to serve. Make cookies for your neighbors. Stock some peanut butter at your local food pantry. Etc.

11. Pray for your children. If you would like some ideas, check out the Tool – pray.

12. Read Revolutionary Parenting by George Barna.

13. Check out www.seedsfamilyworship.net!

Remember – simple steps.

Choose just one or two and move forward in the direction of his love and life (Jeremiah 31:3 and John 10:10).

Email me if you have any questions or discoveries.