Do Something

Up until this past Monday morning, I had built a beautiful wall in front of me. HGTV and DIY is my "white noise" so I know how to build one strong and mighty, very decorative and one that can disguise or hide unsightly flaws..

Then Monday came and Monday morning I had a powow with Deena and Monday afternoon I made some decisions.

I am in at stage right now that is more like being out on a sand bar at the river, just standing there, watching everything else go by, or like being in front of a road block or on one side of the road separated by a center divider..

or behind a big beautiful,decorative, flaw hiding, protective wall. 

You know, a place that might make you feel stuck, or something that slows you almost to a stop and makes you have to decide which way you are going to go, or maybe... something that hides you from what you believe to be risks, a protective barrier from possible failure.

Sound familiar?

If you have read my blog for the past 7 years...or just 7 months, you might think that this is a pattern with me. It is.  I am growing. We all are and maybe I should have been a masonry contractor because even when I was young, I built walls. Earliest I can remember is when I was trying to learn math...uggghhhhh.   I can vividly remember sitting in the dining room at Mrs. Larzo's house and she was so gentle and nurturing about teaching me math...and I just sat there, behind my wall...and pretty much sat there and until a huge bright light turned on..and then I was good.

Truth  #1: I am tired, and when I am tired, I forget to trust, and when I forget to trust, I start questioning every direction and when I start questioning every direction, I build a wall and when I build a wall, I don't sit on top and let the sun shine or the rain splash on me..I stand like Judy Moody with my arm crossed and my toe tapping.  It is called Simply Complicated and if you have been a long time reader, you know that phrase.  It all is very simple and yet I create my very own self-road block by complicating things.

Until Monday.

Then Tuesday came and I  received a "to-do" list from two friends yesterday (thank you girls) and as I am now going over my to-do's, I thought maybe I would share it with you because I am pretty POSITIVE that I am not the only sitting behind this big beautiful, decorative wall.

Stop Procrastinating!

by Rick Warren

"There is nothing I cannot master with the help of Christ who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13 JB)

The Bible gives us five actions we can take to stop procrastinating:

1. Stop making excuses. "The lazy man is full of excuses" (Proverbs 22:13 LB). What have you been saying you're going to do "one of these days"? What do you make excuses about? The number one excuse I hear is, "When things settle down, then I'm going to ..." Things will never settle down. You must make a choice to prioritize what is important.

2. Start today. Not next month, next week, or tomorrow. "Never boast about tomorrow. You don't know what will happen between now and then" (Proverbs 27:1 GNT). None of us is guaranteed a tomorrow.

3. Establish a planned schedule. Proverbs 13:16 says, "A wise man plans ahead. A fool doesn't" (LB). If you fail to plan, you're planning to fail. You need to designate some specific time slots each week for the things you need to do. Whatever it is, put it on your calendar. And if it’s a big task, break it down into small pieces. Break it into bite-size pieces.

4. Face your fears. We hate to admit we have fears, because we think they’re a sign of weakness. But fear is a sign of humanity. Only fools are not afraid. You’ve heard it said, “Courage is not the absence of fear; it's moving ahead in spite of our fears.” The Bible says there is nothing you cannot master with the help of Christ who gives you strength.

5. Focus on what you gain, not the pain. There are very few things in life that are easy. You must push through the frustration and look at the gain beyond the pain. Concentrate on how good you're going to feel once you've finished the task.

Galatians 6:9 says, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we reap a harvest" (NLT).

Jesus never said life would be easy. There will be sacrifice and commitment. But there is tremendous reward when we do the things he calls us to do.

Talk About It

- Don’t ask, "What do I feel like doing?" Instead ask, "What does God want me to do?"

- I want you to write down three things you know God wants you to do, one item each in these three areas: your family, your personal life, and your career. Choose one of those three, and start today. Even if you can only work on your goal 15 minutes a day, do it — you’ll feel so much better!

 Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.

This devotional © 2013 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

So there you have it...a to-do list...and a big beautiful wall to sit up on and make a plan...join me, won't you?

 

Comments

[Courtney Walsh]

I could've written this post myself. I have felt exactly the same way, but then, you already know that! You aren't alone. :) Facing my fears...one by one...

Oh, and when I'm tired I forget to trust too...that is a bad habit I fall into. Working on it.

[Angelica Suarez]

Stephanie, if I could, I'd give you a great big hug right now! I've followed your blog for some time, at first because of the beautiful doodles. Then, I soon realized the great love of God you have, and kept reading as a fellow sister in Christ. Your faith is inspiring, and your willingness to be open about the brokenness we all face is motivating. We are all so imperfect and need gentle reminders from friends, loved ones, sometimes even strangers of what we need. And we can get up and keep trying thanks to His grace. I love your post today and wanted to say thank you for the wonderful reminders. xo Angelica

[Deena]

Beautiful! So proud to be your friend! I see another beautiful doodle but did you press send on that email yet??? Really hoping this afternoon works out for our crafty work out! Love ya!!!

[Lorrie]

Oh my. I need this. Thank you. I'm sitting behind a huge wall of inertia.

[Lynn rRichards]

Girl, you are talking my language!!! I have spent the last two posts talking about fears and anxieties. I love your list . I would like to share it in my next post if you don't mind?
Thanks and keep on top of the wall!
xoxo
Lynn

[Kathryn]

Thanks for sharing, Steph. I was sitting her procrastinating about a five mile walk...a promise to myself to keep moving...one shoe and sock on...one foot bare. I'll finish this, and put on the other sock and shoe and get up and WALKING. Thanks, thanks, thanks for the much needed nudge!

[Marta]

I totally get you Stephanie - good luck with your "to-do" list and your wall! I am working on my own!

[Patty Marker]

We are kindred spirits Stephanie. Being tired, overwhelmed and over committed definitily throws the walls up for me. I get so busy that I stop in my tracks and literally want to crawl in bed. I am continuously starting a new project or have a new creative love...creative A.D.D. for sure. Thank you for the simple start in moving forward. I am in. Patty

[Debbie Cosenza]

Thank you for sharing this. Obviously you and I are not alone in this :-) I so appreciate the scripture, because I realize I can't do it. I need God. That's my mantra "Help!"