Routine (roo-teen) – “commonplace tasks, chores, or duties as must be done regularly or at specified intervals; typical or everyday activity; regular, unvarying, habitual, unimaginative, or rote procedure.” (Dictionary.com)
After seven months here in Mozambique that has included many new experiences, more than enough moves, several trips and the busyness of the end of year activities (whew) we are finally feeling like we are in a “routine”. I would not describe it as a “rut” yet but at least we are feeling a lot more comfortable and it is becoming more and more like “home”. I would like to try to describe to you what our daily routine looks like for a couple of reasons. First, we would like you to be able to imagine what we are doing while you pray for us. Second, we want to dispel any ideas that our lives are glamorous and/or adventurous. I will break it up into several entries so that you don’t spill coffee on the computer, falling asleep as you read.
My day begins right around 5:00 am by getting out of bed, ducking out from under the mosquito net and stumbling out of the air conditioned bedroom into the rest of the house that is usually already feeling warm and humid. The only exception would be if we had rain the day before or during the night. My first activity of the day is to spend some time exercising. It still amazes me how much perspiration pours out no matter how short or long the work out. I am still hoping to be able to play some soccer here but I need to be somewhat in shape when that happens. After exercising and getting myself ready, I am able to enjoy some coffee with a piece of Portuguese bread then before I head to the office some quiet time with Lord. I guess I use the term “quiet time” because I am interacting and communicating with Him throughout the day but this is the time where I do my best to lock everything else out and focus on Him. This is one part of my routine that I really don’t want to be just “routine”. No matter how long I have been serving the Lord, the tendency is to read the words of Scripture and not relate to the Author. Way to easy to recite prayer requests than to speak to our Father. Over the past few months it has been encouraging to read and meditate on Isaiah, Lamentations, Acts, Hebrews and now Ezekiel. It is hard to speak of any one thing that God has been teaching me but He always seems to have the right words for me on days that I need them most.
After a time of both physical and spiritual nourishment it is about 7:30 am and time to head to the office…