repetition in life creates consistency

Our son is staying next door with my folks while he has chemo treatments for his classic Hodgekin Lymphoma. He has two french bulldogs. One has paralyzed back legs (Lily). The other has full mobility control (Rogu). The wild thing is Lily can almost keep up with Rogu completely. They both get to running in the house, Lily swishing her back end like a seal, as she fishtails across the floor. They tumble and rough house together. But, both of them can be brought into a full stop no matter how quickly they are running with one sound.

The sound of a crinkling plastic wrapper.

When they hear it, it’s full on put-the-brakes-on-come-to-full-stop. Then, they hone their big bat ears to the person responsible for the sound, and make a bee-line to said person to beg for a handout. They don’t get handouts. They never get handouts. But, they repeatedly show up hoping for a first time.

Repeatedly showing up….(pic of the two below begging from our son. This pic was taken before he started his chemo treatments)

The power of repetition

(repetition in life creates consistency) There’s power in repetition both in my writing life and my prayer life. As I sit here this morning drinking my fresh cup of coffee, I am amazed how similar the two are. My daily creative repetition is a couple of cups of coffee while I write.

I feel as though my requests for prayer have been a duplicate every day. The major issues (our son’s cancer, my parent’s health needs) fill my Facebook social media pages. Yet, I repeatedly hear from folks that my posts are their daily “prayer time” as they read the updates and pray for the needs. But, that’s okay…

My devotional writing seems repetitive in nature because it seems every piece is about the hope and peace that comes through prayer. But, that’s okay…

If you’ve ever trained a child (or a pet) you know the power of repetition. (PS. Kids nowadays don’t know the power of reciting your times tables. But, I  still think it’s the best way to memorize!)

That’s why I love when I keep my focus to one topic for Bible study.

This month, I am focusing my Bible study prayer and journaling on different prayers of the Bible. Last week was the Lord’s Prayer. This week it’s Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10). I am including some journal prompts in the Journal to Jesus Facebook group. The focus is helping me dive deeper into the scripture and helping the scriptures come alive and more meaningful.

In my writing life I’ve been asking myself “how can I go deeper with this topic?”  Whether it’s working on a devotional piece, or the children’s chapter book I’m writing, the repeated daily question “how can I go deeper” is helping me become a better writer. This repetition in my writing life creates a consistency in helping me deepen my writing and connection with my readers.

Here are five repetitive practices that can help strengthen your Christian walk:

1. Daily Prayer
   • Set aside a consistent time each day to talk with God, whether in the morning, during lunch, or before bed. Repetition builds connection and deepens your relationship with Him.
2. Bible Reading and Reflection
   • Read and meditate on Scripture daily, even if it’s just a few verses. Journaling your thoughts or key takeaways can help reinforce what you learn.
3. Gratitude Journaling
   • Write down three things you’re grateful for every day, focusing on how God is working in your life. This habit fosters a heart of thankfulness and trust. (Did you know that recently this has become part of the “prescription” given for medical doctors helping people navigate depression?)
4. Scripture Memorization
   • Choose a verse or passage to memorize each week. Daily repeating and internalizing God’s Word equips you to face challenges with truth and faith.
5. Acts of Kindness
   • Regularly serve others, whether by encouraging someone, volunteering, or helping in small ways. These repetitive actions reflect God’s love and reinforce a heart of service.

Deepen your daily life by developing these 5 habits.

Repetition in your daily life creates consistency and will help you make improvements!

1. Create a Morning Routine for Clarity and Focus

• Wake up early to create quiet time before the day begins.
• Practice morning gratitude by listing things you’re thankful for.
• Set daily intentions or goals to keep yourself focused on priorities.

2. Daily Movement

• I’ll admit, this one is a hard one for me. Engage in physical activity, such as walking, stretching, or a workout, to boost energy, improve health, and reduce stress. I have to say that the stretching one is something I am finding as a peaceful addition to my life!

3. Nourish Your Mind

• Read or listen to a book, podcast, or inspirational content daily. Bonus points if you pick a time and consistently show up!
• Spend time learning a new skill or improving a current one for personal growth.

4. Consistent Sleep Schedule

• Prioritize going to bed and waking up at the same time daily to support your physical and mental health. Now, I’ll be honest. I go to bed consistently at the same time every night. But, my sleep patterns have problems. If I or the dog wakes up, I find it hard to go back to sleep. YUCK. But, I am thankful for my consistent bedtime!

5. Celebrate Small Wins

• Acknowledge small accomplishments and progress each day to boost motivation and positivity. Friend, there’s nothing worse than going through life, and not having reasons to celebrate! Today I celebrated that I had all necessary chores for my parents done by 10AM! That was a reason to WOOHOO.

My encouragement for you..

I encourage you to go deeper in your life by being repetitive.

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