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A creature of habit
From one perch, I can routinely reach the world or have my own life changed. What counts is regular.
As I sit here in Barnes & Noble in Christiansburg, Virginia, I’m nursing a fresh cup of steaming coffee in a mug. The sun is streaming through the window, and I’m tucked away in “my spot.” This tall table back in the cafe corner next to the window is a longstanding friend. It has supported my journal over the years as I’ve recorded life. It’s held up various versions of MacBooks as I’ve pecked away on emails, prepared sermons and posted on social media.
Many in my church know when I’m here. I love my routine. While some may say I’m a creature of habit, I’m not stuck in a routine, I’m just loyal to my habits.
Whether it’s the days and route I run or my morning quiet time procedure, I’ll confess to being comfortably predictable. Those who know me best truly can predict what I’m doing and when.
I’ve sat by this window in shorts and in a coat. I’ve watched snow fall from this nook and thunderstorms pound the parking lot outside. After slow enjoyment of a blueberry scone or coffeecake muffin, I have sat here, on my perch, and read, written, mused and conversed over the years. Friends and family honk at me when they drive by “my window” on their way into the shopping center. Because coffee and muffins are a perfect combination for “regularity,” I also have a preferred stall in the bathroom. Some of the baristas here have my phone number memorized and happily punch it in as they ring me up, ensuring I get my B&N membership discount. It reduces a cup of coffee from $2.95 to $2.79.
Barnes & Noble sits on the corner of this shopping strip. From here, I’ve walked next door to Gamestop just to take a break from prep/work. I used to grab a snack at Big Lots next door to it, but BL closed a few months ago. I often see loved ones heading to TJ Maxx down the way. Target sits across the street. From my humble corner, I watch the world pass by when I’m here.
I love the background noise of the cafe, with conversations, glassware tinkling, and the beep beeping of machines when the timer on the oven goes off. I love the smell of the magazines. As I browse the bookshelves on breaks, I am moved by the sheer number of books I’ll never read. They are silent encouragers to my own writing attempts. Each is a reminder that another author got published, so I can too. 1
Because it’s Friday, I’m “off.” Our church’s offices are closed to allow our staff a day of restfulness since we serve on Sundays. Because it’s summer, soon I’ll head back to the house and do my regular Friday chores. There’s things I think about, pray for or visioneer according to what task or activity I do. Many activities are mindless. When I run, I don’t think I think about anything. I’ve tried, but because I’m not a great runner, only a routine runner, I listen to country music and find that I can’t run fast enough to catch my breath.
Even from this little corner of creation, I am often awed by how I can impact others. I can communicate to hundreds over social media. Sermons that are prayerfully crafted here are used by God to impact destinies. Plans made here find fruitfulness as they are implemented. Personal resolutions made here as a result of spending time with God in His Word bless me and my loved ones.
I’m reminded of Colossians 3:17 which encourages us in the monumental and the mundane, in the random and in the routine, that whatever we do…
“…whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
From one perch, I can routinely reach the world or have my own life changed. What counts is regular.
My routine is something I would never imagined. I love bedtime for in quiet hours of close to midnight I begin to unwind, lay my head on my pillow and begin to lift up in prayer those God brings to my mind. Often praying for my grandkids, their parents and my friends. Especially those suffering from one of life’s brutal bumps. As this old man gets to do his business I generally pick up my phone and liisten to my favorite preacher or a audiobook as I set my timer for five minutes. I always fall asleep before my time… Read more »
Love your routine and how quietly purposeful it is. Even with the wakings in the wee hours! Than you for sharing!
Yes, I too am a creature of habit and routine. For decades, I’ve had the same routine. Every very early morning, way before the sun comes up, I have my bible study, devotional, and prayer time, when everyone else is asleep. I used to include a 45-minute walk every morning as well, rain or shine, and that was used as a prayer time. Old age and a very broken-down, diseased body put an end to the walk. I still get up before the sun and stretch, take a hot shower to loosen up all my arthritic autoimmune issues, spend focused… Read more »
Thank you for sharing! Your “daily, boring, menial routine” is definitely covered in God’s “whatever.” 😉 I love hearing how prioritizing devotional time and a walk with God have sustained you – even when your literal walking may have been curtailed. Daily pursuit of Him doesn’t have to be slowed even when our bodies are.
Amen! That is what the Lord has been showing me the last 10 years, that even though my outer body is wasting away, or breaking down increasingly, I can still serve Him and those around me in other, different ways. I’ve had to accept many changes since turning 50. That’s when my body started increasingly breaking down, and I’ve become less and less mobile and functional due to many chronic health issues. Anyway, yes, I can still serve Him, even if I were unable to even get out of bed anymore. Think Joni Earekson Tada!