Need some ideas of things to do this coming week? How about the following:
1. Memorize a Scripture verse. Yes, you can do it. Pick one that is not too long and say it a couple times each day in the coming week. Joshua 24:15, Jeremiah 29:11, John 3:16 are all good ones to start with and you probably already know them anyway!
2. Leave your spouse a note. Lon and I leave each other notes each morning. Since he leaves for work an hour and a half before I even contemplate waking up, this fun idea works well. The note doesn’t have to be a long one – short ones can be just as effective. You can write serious notes, sweet notes, passionate notes, complimentary ones or silly notes.
This morning, I was all out of ideas, so I merely wrote, “Have a day. I love you.” Other times, I have just drawn a silly picture (no, I’m not an artist, but I can draw REALLY good smiley faces!) and asked him to guess who it was. After 19 years of marriage, he’s pretty good at guessing my caricatures!
3. Snuggle with your kids and read them a story. When you’re finished, tell them all the things you love about them most and don’t leave anything out!
4. Commit to praying for someone all week. It’s truly amazing to see how powerful prayer is. Pick a family member, friend, or even the homeless person you saw near the gas station yesterday and begin praying for them every day for a week. Caution: it may become a habit!
5. Do something really silly.
Take a goofy picture. Or put on a fake accent when you go shopping today and watch other customers as you speak to your children ala an English, Australian, Southern accent (or Northern accent if you’re already blessed with one of those really cool and neat Southern accents).
6. Get a massage. The first time my mom bought me a gift certificate for a massage, I was hesitant. After going just that once, I became hooked. Massages are good for circulation, stress, and they help you sleep better at night.
7. Paint your nails. Still a little girl at heart, I love to try out new nail polishes. If you have daughters, make a salon session out of it and paint their nails too. Oh, and don’t forget the toenails.
8. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time.
9. Go for a walk. Nothing puts a new perspective on things than going for a walk, especially an outdoor walk in the midst of God’s amazing creation. Take your kids along and marvel at caterpillars or the rock formations on a mountain hike.
10. Make a difference in the life of another. The inspiration behind my book 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others was the joy our family found in doing things for others and encouraging them. And it doesn’t have to be a big difference – even the small things mean so much!
