7 Things I learned in January

This year I’ve decided to take the discipline of contemplation a little bit more seriously. To do that, I’ll be slowing down at the end of each month to reflect – to look back at what I learned in the last 30ish days as a means of sealing them in. As I do, I’ll be linking up with Emily P. Freeman, a fellow Jesus-seeker whom God often uses to speak straight to my soul.  Join us, will you?

#1: It is good for me to keep Facebook off my phone.

Just before Christmas, I took the Facebook app off my phone so that I could be more present with my people. This one simple act has freed me up from the addiction to constantly picking up my phone. No more entertaining myself at a red light. No more scrolling while waiting to check out. The noise has been quieted, and I like it.

#2: The rule of “3 nice things” is helping.

Lately, two of my lovelies have had a hard time being kind to each other. They’ve been name calling and pestering, and I’m over it.  In a desperate attempt to end the madness, I implemented the rule of “3 nice things”. This is how it goes: Anytime we hear one of the kids call the other a name or say something nasty to the other, they immediately have to list 3 nice things about the other.

At the start of this little exercise, we allowed things like, “She’s nice.” “He’s good at basketball.” But now we’re making them be more specific. This little exercise has forced our darlings to dig deep and name things that they genuinely like/appreciate about their siblings.

And yall – it’s helping. They name calling and general ugliness has drastically been reduced around here. Plus you should see the little smiles on their faces when the other names three nice things (even though it’s coming by force). I’m calling this a win for Team Rogers.

#3: Wet nail polish dries quickly when dipped in ice-cold water.

I got this little tip from Pinterest and it works! Between each coat of nail polish, dip your nails in ice-cold water. The original post said you have to dip your nails in the water for three minutes but I only dipped mine for 30 seconds. It still worked.

#4: The best way to survive an avalanche is by spitting, then digging.

If you’re ever caught in an avalanche and you survive the fall, digging yourself out is your best chance of survival. The problem is under a mound of snow, it’s hard to tell which way is up. One victim actually dug himself 30 feet deeper into the snow before he lost his fight.

To know which way you need to to dig, spit. Even under all that snow, gravity still works. So, push the snow away from your face and spit. If the spit falls away from you, then you’re facing down and you need to dig the other direction. If you end up spitting on yourself, then start digging because you are facing up.

You’re welcome.

#5: Goal planning/dreaming can be an act of stewardship.

I have always struggled with the idea of goal planning/dreaming. But when I read this from Jess Connolly on Instagram, it was a light bulb – neon, flashing lights – moment for me. I took a screenshot of it to remember.

 

I love everything about this. This one little post has helped me to re-frame the idea of goal setting/dreaming, and I’m so grateful. (You can follow her on Instagram by clicking here.)

#6: Setting regular “appointments” with friends is vital to my relationships.

Let’s face it. As important as our friendships are to us, it’s difficult to stay current and present in each others’ lives amid the rest of our responsibilities. But just because we don’t do life together (with our kids, school, sports, church)  doesn’t mean these friendships have to fall to the wayside.

I was reminded afresh this month of the importance of setting regular “appointments” with my friends. Although the time looks different with each, I value the time because I value the friendships.

Some I see weekly (for Wednesday coffee, Bible study, or taking a walk). Some are monthly (breakfast with a friend, mentor-time). And some are less often than that (6ish times a year for birthdays, holidays, catch-up lunches). But it’s the intentional, scheduled time that keeps us connected.

And that’s really important to me.

#7: I’ve written two different Bible studies on (virtually) the same thing.

How did I miss this?

This winter/spring I have the opportunity to lead two different Bible study groups, and both are doing one of my studies. As I opened up The Wardrobe to begin preparing, it hit me. (Go ahead, say it: Bless her heart.)

Both studies focus on the character of God, but from completely different angles.

The Wardrobe of Christ teaches us what it means to put on the character of Jesus. By looking at each of the virtues listed in Colossians 3:12-14, we learn what it means to live with (and in) the compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness and love of Jesus.  This study is 6 weeks long and heavily New Testament driven.

He Is … focuses on the character of God as revealed through His many names. By learning and experiencing God through eleven of His names, this study reveals more clearly who God is and how He works in our lives. This study is 10 weeks long and heavily Old Testament driven.

If you’re interested both are available here.

Ha! See. We learn something new every day.

What have you learned in January?