Freedom Through Discipline

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

About thirteen years ago, I surprised my husband for Christmas by learning how to play the piano. At least enough to play a handful of hymns and church songs. For about two months, I practiced many hours a day. And on Christmas day, I sat and played. It felt so good! The freedom to play was wonderful!

But……after Christmas, the motivation of the surprise was gone. I slowly stopped practicing. And now, I can’t claim to play the piano at all anymore.

The difference between a person who has the freedom to really play the piano and someone who can’t (me) is discipline. The pianist disciplines herself. She practices. And practices. Consistently.

And what is the reward of discipline? Freedom!

My lack of discipline in practicing the piano keeps my fingers in bondage. I am not free to transfer what I see on the music page to my fingers. I am completely tied up.

Have you ever asked God to miraculously give you some gift? Oh, I have. I wish that God would just let me sit down at the piano and just miraculously be able to play. I want to wake up one morning thin. I want to open my mouth and automatically know how to speak a foreign language. I asked for Spanish. Though I’ve also thought speaking Vietnamese would be great, too. Both would be very helpful around here.

See, I know people that this has happened to. I know a couple of people to whom God has given the gift of a language instantaneously known. I knew a girl who just sat down at the piano and knew how to play. (Sadly, the gift was also taken away when she turned her back on God.) I watched a very large woman lose weight during a prayer service. She had to grab hold of her clothes when they started to fall off! I also know of people who have been delivered from addiction instantaneously.

So, why hasn’t God done this for me? I really LOVE piano music. I really NEED to lose weight. I could really USE the ability to speak Spanish.

But God picks who gets the miracle. For whatever reason, He chooses. He knows what is best for each one of us. I would assume that one of the best reasons for NOT getting the miracle is to teach us the rewards of self-discipline.

One of the biggest rewards, of course, is freedom. It makes sense that since Christ has set us free, He intends us to live free. We keep our freedom by discipline.

“He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” Proverbs 5:23

So, for now, two of my goals are to have an organized office/studio/workroom and to lose weight/be healthy. So, I’m now going to the gym. And trying to regularly devote an hour working ON the office. (Working IN the office is already a regular thing.) Oh, I will keep praying and asking for God’s help. But, while I wait for my miracle, I will discipline myself. And while I’m disciplining myself, I kind of think my miracle will happen. One day I WILL wake up a whole lot thinner and walk into a neat and organized workroom.

And maybe one of these days, I’ll tackle that piano again.


While I’m Waiting

Psalm 5:3, 27:14, 33:20, 37:7, 38:15, 40:1, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:24

by John Waller

To hear this song, click here.

I’m waitingI’m waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I’m waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting

I will serve You

While I’m waiting

I will worship

While I’m waiting

I will not faint

I’ll be running the race

Even while I wait

I’m waiting

I’m waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I’m waiting on You, Lord

Though it’s not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting

I will serve You while I’m waiting

I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord

© 2007 Travelin’ Zoo Music (ASCAP) (admin. by EMI CMG Publishing)

Organizing Earrings

Many years ago at a women's conference, a speaker who was an organizational expert showed us her actual drawer that housed her earrings. I fell in love with the idea. Much better than what I was using at the time -- whatever that was. I really can't remember how I used to store my earrings, but I've been doing it this way for over twenty years!

What's the "secret"?

Egg cartons!


First piece together the egg carton to fit your drawer. (I have moved my earrings from one kind of drawer to another. Easy as pie. I just rearrange the carton pieces.)

Then cover it with fabric. I liked the idea of dark velvet. Couldn't afford velvet, though. But, I found a velvety-type house robe hanging at a yard sale. I cut a big ol' piece out of it. After I bought it, of course. Worked perfectly and still looks good!

Lay the fabric over the egg cartons and start poking the material down into the holes, starting in the middle.

Then place your treasures inside!



The best thing about this storage system is that when I open the drawer, I can see all my stash at one time! Easier to pick a pair when I "know" what I have!

The next best thing is that if I start running out of room, it makes me HAVE to declutter!

It also cost me practically nothing! That's always a good thing.

The Family That Works Together Can Play Together

Ah, the stress-free life!

Putting It All In Order

I organized one (yes, one) of my utensil drawers. I did not take a before picture. Just imagine all that is in the organizer (and there is a second little layer there in the middle) just dumped out into the drawer. That's what it looked like. Utensils going every which way. I could usually find what I wanted with only a few seconds of rummaging through. Usually.

But, I've been on a mission for awhile now. A mission to get and stay organized. I get a little motivation and do real well, and then something happens and I slip a little. But, I'm back on the wagon!

My house is clean, almost always company ready, and looks nice; but only I (and family members) know that utensil drawers need help or that my husband's closet needs an overhaul!

Why am I on this mission?

Because my goal is to get organized so that I can work toward my mission in life!

Yes, I have a REAL mission -- or vision -- for my life. And it is NOT working forever to get organized! I need to be organized so that I have more time and less stress! My mission of putting everything in order is so that I can get on with the next step towards my vision!

Here is my vision for my life, drafted five years ago:


My desire is to live a life that is devoted to God and my family.

I see everything I do blessing God, others, or myself.

I see myself living a life that is not being directed by stress, worry, or urgency.

I see myself living life beautifully.

I see myself making life more pleasant for myself and others.

I see myself living an enhanced life.