For many years I’ve developed what some people call an old-school habit of working on Saturdays. I don’t treat Saturday in the same way I treat Monday through Friday.  However, when I awaken on Saturday morning, I don’t put all my work away.

When I was in the international trade business, I tended to arrive at my office between 5:30 and 6 am on Saturday morning.  By 10 or 11, I could get a lot done without phone calls or meetings. I could reduce my inbox substantially and increase the traffic in my outbox.

Any business leader understands that running a business is a series of overcoming obstacles, one after another. In some instances, it’s physical challenges; other times it could be financial or family.  Paul wrote “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 2:9, ESV)

Recently my wife rearranged our living room. I tend not to make such adjustments, but over a few weeks; I’ve come to appreciate the changes that improved flow and work over the previous room configuration. One of the changes was that she moved my chair from one side of the room to the other. For the first few days when I started walking toward my chair, I would instinctively go the wrong way. Even after six weeks, I caught myself taking two or three steps in the wrong direction. 

We read in scripture that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52, NIV) A take-away from this verse is recognizing that Jesus’ growth in wisdom, integrity, and relationship with God was ongoing. As He became older, He learned more. While He had wisdom from God directly, my interpretation of this verse also indicates that he participated in an ongoing growth effort.

I tend to read at least two hours every evening. I find that reading is more productive and useful than watching endless banter on political programs or most other TV productions. This time allows me to read quite a few books.  Of course, some are better than others.

Sometimes I re-read some of the best books two or three times to take better notes that I did the first time through. For example, when you see a well-done movie several times; you start picking up things that you glossed over or missed the first time through. By watching the movie again, you pick up on nuances and other information.