Waking while it is still dark...

So, for the sake of full disclosure, I have actually been working at this little experiment for a couple months now. I was simply too lazy to begin the blog. Although I am starting my "year" based on my first blog post I wanted to include what I have been doing since May.

The first change I wanted to incorporate to my life was waking up earlier than I had previously. I am not what you would call a morning person. In fact I think I am an anti-morning person. I love to sleep and I HATE waking up. Growing up, my family drew straws to decide who would need to face the "wrath of Breezy" in the morning. Once in college, I actually threw my alarm clock across the room because I was simply mad that it was time to get up...yes I realize that maybe I should focus on some temper issues this year as well. So it would come as no surprise that because my career has not required me to wake up early, get ready, and drive to the office I have chosen to sleep in most mornings. My body seemed to like waking up around 9...9:30...10. However, this has been a point of contention between me and the hubs for a full 5 years. He likes to get up early to start his day and really doesn't understand the desire to sleep and "waste the day." In my defense, I felt like hours were still hours no matter what part of the day it was. So if I was doing my laundry at 9 pm then what is the difference?

Explanation aside, I have chosen to take the advice in Proverbs and wake up early, maybe not before the sun, at least not in the spring/summer season. So now I am getting up in the morning with my hubby. I am finding that more gets done during the day. I also feel more motivated when I realize that I have already accomplished so much before I would normally even wake up!! However, the other benefits that I have come to enjoy were completely unexpected. My relationship with my husband has really grown. I think one reason being he knows its a sacrifice for me to wake up but it is also a great way to start his day. He really looks forward to me waking up and on the days when I don't it's a letdown. Of course, that makes me feel wonderful knowing that it brightens his day when we spend a few minutes in the morning together. Often times, he has my coffee ready for me before I even get out of bed, so nice.

So what has this taught me? Well, I am still in the infancy stage of this project but I can see that the innocuous things that I felt would have no change on my overall productivity really have. I am getting more done, feeling more energetic, and my level of motivation is higher. My perspective is changing and now I just need to choose my next step. Stay tuned...

The Proverbs 31 Experiment

I would say I am a pretty good wife. Actually, I would probably say I am an excellent wife and my hubby should thank his lucky stars everyday that he scored such a catch :0 However, after 5 years of marriage I am realizing more and more that I seem to be utterly incapable of certain things. That, at the end of a day, my house is still a mess, my schedule seems jam packed, I got behind on any number of things, and more than likely I forgot something. I have continually attempted to make lists, put schedules in place, and create habits, all of which were intended to streamline my routine and make my overall life that much easier. One day a few months ago I realized that all I had been trying to accomplish I was doing on my own. I wasn't asking God to help me get the laundry done, I mean of course I wasn't, He wasn't exactly going to come down and help me fold now was He?! However, in Phillipians 4:13 it says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Now of course, I always attributed that to witnessing, ministering, maybe waking up early to get to a church service :-) Basically, churchy things. However, it doesn't take a word study to understand that "All Things" includes all things. So I thought maybe I would try God's way. Only, God really isn't going to fold my laundry, feed my chickens, take my dogs to the vet, and pack for vacation. So how was God going to help? My mind kept circling back to Proverbs 31, the passage that describes "a wife of noble character." Well, that is exactly what I want to be. So, I have decided to put myself to the test. For one year I am living a Proverbs 31 life. Somethings will be literal, like waking up early and some things will be more metaphorical, I don't plan on buying any new fields ;-) I'm not sure what God will be teaching me during this time but I am excited to find out.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.