For some of you it might be your phone, but for me it's the computer since I don't have a phone. Hopping onto the computer in my free time is really tempting for me. Lots of times I don't even have a reason to be on there - it's just easier than going outside or reading a book.
So I'm writing this to MEEEEE!!!
If you benefit from it, great!
#1: Write A Card
People need so much encouragement.
This spring I took my calendar and wrote someone's name in each box for February, March, and April, and each day wrote a card to the person I'd written down for that day. I included a Scripture verse or two, an encouraging note, and maybe a pretty verse card. (Sometimes I would send a text with a pretty graphic or contact someone through G+ or emailed them.) I also prayed for each person before I sent the letter, and let them know that had I prayed for them in the card. Before I began the whole project, I prayed that the letters would be timely and encourage people when they most needed it.
I WAS AMAZED!!!
Almost every single person (or at least a great deal of them) wrote back saying something like this:
"Thank you so much for the note!! I can't tell you how much it blessed me!! I've been having a difficult time lately (sometime's they'd share what had been happening - stuff I had no idea was going on!) and your note was like a burst of sunshine! (Some people told me they cried.) It was SO very timely! You encouraged me greatly - God knew I needed that. Thank you for obeying His urge!!"
Besides being so profitable, the cards only took me about 5-10 minutes each day!
#2: Read A Book
Someone at church once encouraged the congregation to read big books. He says if you just take 15 minutes a day and read a couple pages or a chapter or two, you'd be surprised how fast you can read books - especially the big ones that look daunting. Besides that, if you're reading solid Christian books, they will be strengthening your spiritual walk whereas the screen can often be a huge waste of time.
#3: Go Outside
This year I started gardening with my family each morning. If you've read my post "God Doesn't Expect Us To Be Fairytale Princesses," you know that I do NOT like gardening. Nu-huh. Not my thing. The bugs and the feel of dirt do not appeal to me. But this year I decided to give it a try, trying to be especially obedient and honoring to my parents and setting a good example to my little siblings.
Y'know what I found out?
Gardening's not so bad! Nothing I plant comes up, so I don't plant anymore, but I can weed + mulch. (BTW, if you're a gardener and you haven't seen Back To Eden, you should go watch it. It has revolutionized our gardening AND made weeding 80-90% easier.) I rather like it! The change was not my environment, but my change of mind.
That was a bit of a rabbit trail, but you should seriously go outside. Not only is it healthy, but it is a great place to think.
#4: Read A Book To Your Siblings
My younger siblings LOVE it when I read them books. They each get to take turns picking out books for me to read. Now we're reading "The Life Of George Washington," "Pollyanna," and "Ishmael" and I mainly read it to them when we're driving or if I have free time. Sometimes I also tell them stories.
Really, the idea is to be spending time with your siblings, and reading a book is one of my favorite ways to do that!
#5: Bake Something
I like to make treats in my free time when I'm feeling productive. Lia's Toffee Recipe is a favorite, but I only make it occasionally (I mean, it's almost straight sugar!)
My favorite option is Peanut Butter Bars though.
1 cup Peanut Butter
1 cup Butter
1 cup baking syrup (or 2/3 cup sugar)
4 Eggs
2 cups freshly ground hard white wheat
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional - handful of raisins
Turns out light + fluffy! SOOOOO good!! :D
#6: Organize/Get Rid Of Stuff
This might be my favorite. I LOVE to throw stuff away and organize things! But even if I didn't, I would still do it because it makes a difference and changes wasted time into profitable time! I like to pick a book shelf, or a shelf on a bookshelf, and just tackle it. Sometimes I take everything out, organizing it into piles: give away, throw away, keep, and stuff to put somewhere else. Then I put the keep stuff back on the shelf. It works really well! Mama appreciates it, I feel productive, and it's nice to look at!
Bonus - Memorize Scripture
(The reason this is a bonus is because I realized I had 7 points AFTER I made the picture for the post, and I didn't want to re-do it to say "7 things to do instead of the screen.")
Sometimes I say "I don't have time to memorize Scripture!"
Uh...
I do. I have time to do LOTS of things!! It's really all about priority. Instead of sliding into the computer seat, I can pick up a Bible and memorize a verse! Lifelong rewards verses entertainment? Lifelong rewards please.
Tips:
1. Read the verse 10 times
2. Close your eyes and recite it 10 times, emphasizing one different word each time.
3. Move onto verse two, repeating steps 1 + 2.
4. Once you have that verse down, repeat both verses a couple times.
5. Move onto verse 3, and so on.
Have a profitable day!
~ To The Glory Of God Alone ~