I am a procrastinator. And I learned from my mom. Now, you might think that this is all bad, but I assure you, there are some positives. My mom sewed for people just like I do, so I learned all about how to make to-do lists from her. You just "do the next thing." Elizabeth Elliot gives this advice in her book Keep a Quiet Heart, and all of the women thought that it was great advice and it has been quoted regularly. I didn't quite understand why it was so helpful to them until I realized, "That is how I have lived my entire life." I don't plan ahead. I don't get my cleaning done until it is absolutely necessary. I don't plan a week's meals and pull them out on the right day at 5:00. I am highly inefficient. But the one thing I can do is KNOW my deadline and work up to it. If company is coming at 6:00, I am mopping the floor at 5:30. If people need a dress by Saturday morning, I can assure you I will work until midnight ( or later ) the night before. Now, sometimes this poses a problem when an unexpected crisis arises, but then I just revert back to Elizabeth's "do the next thing" philosophy. As a whole, this works. Sometimes, when I am with someone who's house is perfectly clean with laundry folded and they are working on a costume that doesn't need completed for three days, just a random example :), I am slightly intimidated. But then I move on. And do the next thing.
Every Christmas, when we arrive at Ohio, Mom meets us at the door, usually a little wild eyed because it is midnight and she is making creme brulee. And she says, "Weeeeell, I'm not done." And then she says, without fail, "I know, I haven't finished my Christmas decorating either. I am just letting the Lord decorate for me this year. Hopefully it snows." And I laugh and give her a big hug because I wouldn't want it any other way. And then we all do the next thing together.
So, for Halloween, I quote my mom.
"I am just letting the Lord decorate for me."
7 comments:
that's SO joni and evidently jan too. Love yall much. and btw those look a tad like black widows. don't tell me they are, and don't tell me you are letting them live on your porch!
Susan, if I was not so busy procrastinating, I would do a giveaway for guessing the spider and you would win. Yes, it's two black widows and they spent a week on my kitchen counter. I was also wondering if you caught my hint about your dress... I'll have at least one to Regina's by Friday night... Have a great day!
uh, yeah, i got the hint! and how much past midnight will it be? :) may your day be full of blessings and (sewing).
How well this fits my life:) I've been procrastinating so bad this week. I've been doing laundry, organizing this and that, going through clothes closets, teaching school, doing dishes...anything to put off the sewing that HAS to be done. The only problem it poses for me is that today I'm stressing out because I have to have a muslin made by tomorrow morning at 9 to fit a gal for her wedding dress. adn it isn't even cut out. And I told my Mom I'd sew up her new dress for this weekend and I haven't even touched it and I should take it to her tomorrow. Just so I don't take my stress out on my family. Lord, please help me with that one.
And now, on to school, that comes first. My kids are most important, gotta keep reminding myself of that:)
Jill
Love this post!
beautiful decorating! Love your posts!
Cobwebs are a part of my everyday every season decoration!
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