Repeated Behavior: Intertwining Your Faith with Everyday Life
Updated: Aug 3
Have you ever done something to someone that you hate when others do it to you? I have. I did it recently and wasn't even conscious of doing it. I was a single mother until my daughter was eight. As a single mother, all decisions were my responsibility, so I simply did what I needed to do. However, when I got married, I thought it would be a shared responsibility, but I didn't realize giving up decision-making would be hard to let go of. So, when I disagreed with the decision, I would override it, especially decisions made regarding my child. So, after a while, my husband stopped making decisions regarding her. It wasn't what I wanted or envisioned, but I felt safer.
On a recent trip, I dumped all the decision-making regarding where we were going and what we wanted to do in my daughter’s lap. At first, she was fine, but then I realized her attitude changed. I didn’t know why her attitude changed until I asked her. She stated that the daily activities should be a joint decision (I had booked the trip and the hotel). Once she told me why she was upset, I understood. I immediately apologized because I understood how she felt. So, I started participating in the planning for the remainder of the trip.
After returning home, I had time to process why I did what I did. I was tired. I just wanted to relax and allow someone else to have control.
Some steps I have continually taken are:
Self-reflection is vital for change. “Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living and reorder our lives under God.” Lamentation 3:40
Giving over control requires trust. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5
Sometimes you need to get away and get some rest. “And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.” Mark 6:31
By doing these things…over time, I’ve been learning how to incorporate Christ into every area of my life.
Below are two books that God has inspired me to write. "The Flip Side" and "Blinded By Sight: The Heart Matters" both available now.
So… what’s this book about?
“The Flip Side” depicts the possible feelings and emotions of lesser-known Biblical characters as they navigated their lives in the shadows of the more popular characters in the Bible. While the Bible gives us snippets of their stories, we are usually left in the dark about their true motives, desires, and thoughts concerning the situations they are in. However, one certainty is that despite how little we know about these characters, they were often the catalysts to pivotal moments in the main characters’ lives.
So… what’s this book about?
Join me on a journey of self-discovery. “Blinded by Sight - The Heart Matters” is a compilation of short biblical devotions. These stories are not conclusive. They are depictions of how God is revealing my heart to me.
My prayer is, Lord, make it real for me, show me your heart, show me my heart, and give me the wisdom to change what hinders my relationship with you. I am learning that my perception is my biggest obstacle it affects my mind, what I think, and how I process my experiences. What I have experienced in my mind is expressed through my feelings and these experiences dictate my choices either consciously or subconsciously.
This devotional will allow you to explore and evaluate your past and present situations that have hindered you from seeing the heart of the matter. Simply put, look at the heart – it does matter. Your future depends on it!
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4