A pattern of habits.

     We are creatures of habit.  We have our routines from our waking through our sleep.  There are few areas of our lives where habits aren't visible. Some of our habits are positive and others are negative.  Some are innocuous while others are toxic.  We blame our bad habits on others or circumstances all the while taking credit for our good habits.  There is a habit in and of itself.  We habitually turn to the familiar in order to avoid the unknown.  While this isn't necessarily bad, the method of our madness leaves us less risky, less adventurous and less inclined to act and live outside of our box.  We have habits of greeting people, doing safety checks before we leave the house, and set aside time for what is important to us first and others second.  Our habits are very seldom surrendered to God though.  That's one habit that we find it difficult to form in our daily lives. Habits cost us and those around us.  They also bless us and those around us.
    It's the pattern of habits that form who we are and who we are becoming.  If we want to be the best in whatever field of work we choose, we must form habits surrounding how we learn, how we apply and what we do with the successful and unsuccessful habits afterwards.  Many times the habits we form are contrary to the driving force within us.  Take for example the night person who has to wake up early.  Their needed habit of getting up on time to get ready and go is essential to keeping their jobs and income stream.  I know many people who are NOT morning people.  Perhaps you are one of them.  I also know many people who are not night people.  That would include me.  Though sometimes our habit is not out of necessity but more seems to be just there.  I wake up fully awake which drives those who have to have an hour long shower and at least 2 cups of coffee before they can really open their eyes and think.  This first habit of the day leads to the next.
     There are people who are habitually early and habitually late to whatever it is they are going to.  It still is important to acknowledge that at least they arrived at their destination.  How effective they are is different.  Hectic and frenzied behavior is not my idea of being in a good work space.  How we deal with the second habit begets the third habit.  Do we work competently, engage well in our relationships, have morals and ethics on the freeway?  Are we "present" during that meeting, lunch or whatever else we have going on in our day?  Regardless, those who are early and those who are late to whatever event or work have the habit of leaving on time.  Amongst all these habits are those like making sure that you don't stink and have good breath.  It's also important to use correct grammar and to express yourself intelligently.  Habit causes us to be prepared.  Habitually prepared. 
     Your habits are different from mine. Etiology is the study of first causes or first things.  When we study our lives, we need to ask ourselves what is the single important habit to be who God wants us to be.  So, I begin my day with a cup of coffee (first) and then I read my Bible and do my devotions.  This is followed by  my journaling about yesterday, today and tomorrow.  These three habits are essential for the beginning of my day...every day.  When I don't have one of them completed, I feel like a habitual daily runner who has to miss running one day.  Something is just off and throws off the rest of the day no matter how good that day may go.  It takes discipline to begin your pattern of habits as a Christian.  No matter what the excuse, we need to discipline our whole world into submission to the will of God. 
     The pattern of habits you form today will continue to morph into what God has for your life and the lives of those you are invested in.  The professionals say that it takes 14 days to break a bad habit and 14 days to begin a good habit.  Don't be the person who just adds the good habit.  That part is easy and easily avoiding the problems of the bad habits.  Don't make excuses.  Make good habits beginning your day habitually with God who will take you through that and every day.