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NOTES
In this week’s show, in addition to hormones and grocery budgets, we are talking about some simple ways to grow closer to God. As we read in James, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
So how do we do that? Well, I don’t think it needs to be as complicated as we sometimes make it. Here are my 4 simple ideas:
1. Morning offering
Give your day to God, at the start of your day, before you even know what good or bad things might happen. Then, cultivate the habit of repeating your “offering up” throughout the day, in moments of joy or sadness. Here’s the morning offering I like to pray, but you can use a different one, or make up your own!
2. Spiritual reading
We all have that pile of books next to our beds — the ones we meant o get around to reading but never find the time. Make it easier to start reading by keeping books where you might have some down time — in your bag, on the kitchen counter, or in the car. And make use of even small bits of time, just a few minutes is better than nothing! Start small, and you will find that time to read becomes much less of a challenge for you.
3. 15 minutes of mental prayer
Make time to talk with God! You can’t have a relationship with someone you never talk to. As Fr. Mike Schmitz suggests, this can be as easy as spending 7 ½ minutes listening, and then 7 ½ minutes sharing your thoughts with God each day. NOT TOO HARD! You can do this.
4. Examen at end of the day
Make it a habit to spend a few minutes reviewing your day at the end of each day. Think of where you did the right things and where you did wrong things. Give thanks to God for choosing the good, and pray an Act of Contrition for where you chose the bad. Resolve to do better and ask for the grace to do better the next day. Then you can sleep in peace!
This week, we also hear from listeners Melissa (about online women’s studies) and Kiersten (about finding more time for fitness).
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You’re Worth It! Change How You Feel About Yourself By Discovering How Jesus Feels About You
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Just want to leave some advice about the working out with life being busy and kids. I just do ALL my workouts with my kids now. Even the two year old. We’ve been doing 10 minute you tube tabatas, hikes, long walks, swimming, stretches. We use the park as our gym and do pull ups, climbing the slide, balancing, or I can circle it while the kids play. . Sometimes I fold laundry in as many different positions as you can- squats, lunges, etc. My kids love it and they need the exercise too. It has been a game changer, instead of waiting for the just right time, and getting frustrated, we just jump in together and try to be active everyday. Hope that helps! Now that we are used to working together we all crave the sunshine and time together and it’s easier.
Rebekah! Thanks so much for this! I remembered our feedback in this week’s show & mentioned your helpful advice, but I was not able to thank you by name because I thought you had emailed. When I could not find your email in time for this week’s show, I was so frustrated! But then I come here and am reminded you left a comment! DUH! Anyway, thank you or the helpful feedback. It’s great approach for many moms!