Discipline Builds Faithfulness

Do you recognize this book illustration?  It is from one of my favorite beginner books for children. The title is "Christmas In The Big Woods".  This book is from the collection, My First Little House Books.  The stories are adapted from The Little House Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I "asked" for the whole collection for myself last Christmas. I began drawing the cover as a healing project over my bout with viral meningitis. I love children's book illustration and would love to pursue this discipline down the road when the kids are grown a bit.  
The word discipline doesn't seem to stir up the inspiration one expects when talking about art, but without discipline all you have is a dream.  The Bible says something very similar, "Without works, your faith is dead."  God gives us desires, but these desires need to be fleshed out, worked out through discipline.  Through all the definitions Webster gives, self-control seems most fitting.  Many of us first associate discipline with rules and punishments, yet God desires us to gain self-control so we can master the gifts He has given us and be a blessing to this fallen world.  Discipline purifies our heart in so many ways, because we will have to deal with every fancy that passes our way.  If you are not sure what I mean, hop on Pinterest for a hour and you may find yourself clicking away at all the fall projects you want to do yet never gets done, because the discipline to go to the store for the supplies never meets the fleeting desire the eyes saw in that moment you clicked "Saved to Wreaths" board. 
Here's an idea: Don't click on another board until you complete one project.  Nothing robs us of discipline than wasted time dreaming more and more dreams.  Pick one. Start small. Make it easy to finish and accomplish.  Your dreams aren't the problem.  It's your inconsistency.  It is hard to do anything well when you overbook yourself, too.  A simplified life means a life focused well on a few things and not trying to accomplish all things.  It is also a good time to ask yourself why you have so much on the schedule anyway.  If it's better health you want to gain, then start with a 20 minute exercise program a day until it becomes a habit.  If it's to become a better artist, put a sketchbook in your purse and sketch 5 minutes a day (this encouragement is for me). If it's a college degree you are trying to finish, limit outside activities so you can do your studies well as unto the Lord.  You will never regret hard work if you don't crowd your life with what isn't helping meeting that goal.  As a mother of four, I have had the pleasure of learning time management for 13 years now and the best thing God has taught me is that life comes in seasons and to do them well without exhaustion and regret is to incorporate discipline.  Discipline starts with meeting with Him every morning.  Discipline goes hand in hand with faithfulness.  Pray for wisdom and ask for a heart that will remain faithful.