Routines and Things

And.... We are back to Monday. The weekend sure does seem to fly, yet the weekdays are full of running errands and learning life lessons from all of the people and things we encounter. I am such a sucker for a to-do list it is almost ridiculous! At times, I have been asked if I organize my to-do list, which I have considered but never attempted. As a small child growing up and teenager in high school I was always taught that organization is the key to success. So, I guess you can say I push the organization buttons at times in order to be successful with different endeavors in life. I think Emerson puts it best when he stated “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”

Since the beginning of the year, Tony and I have finished school (He graduated from UA and I transferred from LSU to UAB), house/apartment shopped, planned our wedding/honeymoon, moved to Birmingham and started a new chapter in life as Husband and Wife. While I would like to say it has been super easy, I would totally be lying. I am certainly not going to complain; however, I will say every task ever added or marked off of a to-do list was completely worth it. Being married to your best friend is such a blessing and one of the best feelings in the world. For us, it is a huge step up from our regular 30 minute phone call each evening vs. now, our face-to-face conversation over dinner in our home. There is no telling how many times we have said, “It will be so awesome to finally settle down and get into the swing of a routine again.” However, I am slowly inclined to think routines do not exist. With each new step we have taken along this journey there was always a list to follow and each time a task was completed it was marked off. You would think since one task is finished the list would become smaller, right? Wrong. I am learning that even though one task is finished another is added to the list, which might not be a terrible thing after all.

While routines might have been the exact thing Tony and I needed when living in two different states 11 months ago, I am slowly learning that it is quite alright to step outside of the little bubble we create for ourselves and live life a bit differently. If we do the exact same thing every day of every week of every month of every year, where does that leave us? (Food for thought.) I certainly am not encouraging those of you reading to live life on edge and go crazy, but I am saying it may be beneficial to kick away that old routine we have created for ourrselves and wonder into the unknown. Routines do make accomplishing tasks easier and faster. However, once that list is complete for the day we may find ourselves doing the same mundane thing we did on Monday night, one week earlier. If you are reading today, I encourage you to experience the “things” life has to offer outside of routine. “Life is but a tapestry woven by the decisions we make.” (Sherrilyn Kenyon)

Although Tony and I have discussed a desire for a routine, we also agree we are happy and content with where the Lord has placed us in this new chapter of life. We are content with where we live, what we have been given, and what we represent- regardless if we establish a routine in the future or not. For now, we are contently running day to day without routine experiencing "things."

“Not that I have already obtained this or am perfect, but I press on to make it my own, not because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

A wise teacher frequently reminds me, “Kalyn, what doesn’t get done today will be waiting tomorrow.” Mrs. Cowan, you are right yet again (go figure!). I am not doing the dishes and clothes today because my Husband could certainly care less about a spotless home. I am off to experience things, instead of attempting to settle down and create a routine. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we are never guaranteed the next day, so experience things today that you may not have the opportunity to experience tomorrow! Are you going to let this week swamp you as you choose routine over things? Until next time, happy blogging!

 PS- I will admit that I plan to drink my coffee first thing in the morning but after that I am going to embrace growth while adapting to change. Routine will fall into place as need be.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witness, let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

Props to my friend, Trace Lewis for the link to this song. It got me to thinking this weekend about growth, change, and routines in life and I felt the need to share. So glad to share good music interests with great friends!